The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
It's three o'clock in the morning
And they're sayin' you've had enough
But you want another drink
Good old north or southern stuff
You're a boy from way down south
Folks from the old north
And it's Friday night
It's party night for you
King George he sent the excise men
The Yankee revenuers
It don't matter what they try
They'll never stop the brewin'
Because a man will take a glass
To make his spirits fly
On a Friday night
It's party night for you
They bring out laws and taxes
Try to cut you down
If you can't go to the corner bar
Then you'll go underground
So come on down to your local still
And buy yourself a thrill
On a Friday night
It's party night for you
(1) Whiskey the water of life
There's more to it than the pourin'
Oiled the reel on the fiddle bow
And sent the music soarin'
My old man and his old man
They knew what they were doin'
Lovin' malt from the old land
And the corn from Tennessee
If you're feelin' lowdown
You don't need no pill
Come along and join the clan
Support your local still
You can win your bar-room blues
Find that hazy delight
On a Friday night
It's party night for you
Whiskey the water of life
There's more to it than the pourin'
Oiled the reel on the fiddle bow
And sent the music soarin'
My old man and his old man
They knew what they were doin'
Lovin' malt from the old land
And the corn from Tennessee
It's three o'clock in the morning
And they're sayin' you've had enough
But you want another drink
Good old north or southern stuff
You're a boy from way down south
Folks from the old north
And it's Friday night
It's party night for you.
And they're sayin' you've had enough
But you want another drink
Good old north or southern stuff
You're a boy from way down south
Folks from the old north
And it's Friday night
It's party night for you
King George he sent the excise men
The Yankee revenuers
It don't matter what they try
They'll never stop the brewin'
Because a man will take a glass
To make his spirits fly
On a Friday night
It's party night for you
They bring out laws and taxes
Try to cut you down
If you can't go to the corner bar
Then you'll go underground
So come on down to your local still
And buy yourself a thrill
On a Friday night
It's party night for you
(1) Whiskey the water of life
There's more to it than the pourin'
Oiled the reel on the fiddle bow
And sent the music soarin'
My old man and his old man
They knew what they were doin'
Lovin' malt from the old land
And the corn from Tennessee
If you're feelin' lowdown
You don't need no pill
Come along and join the clan
Support your local still
You can win your bar-room blues
Find that hazy delight
On a Friday night
It's party night for you
Whiskey the water of life
There's more to it than the pourin'
Oiled the reel on the fiddle bow
And sent the music soarin'
My old man and his old man
They knew what they were doin'
Lovin' malt from the old land
And the corn from Tennessee
It's three o'clock in the morning
And they're sayin' you've had enough
But you want another drink
Good old north or southern stuff
You're a boy from way down south
Folks from the old north
And it's Friday night
It's party night for you.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Local Still Lyrics as written by Charlton Agnew
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.