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.
James James Morrison Morrison Weatherby George Dupree
Took great of his mother, though he was only three.
James James said to his mother: "Mother," he said, said he.
"Don't ever go down to the end of the town if you don't go down with me.
Don't ever go down to the end of the town if you don't go down with me."
[1] Now, James James Morrison's mother put on her golden gown.
[2] And James James Morrison's mother, she drove to the end of the town.
James James Morrison's mother said to herself, said she:
"Well, I can get down to the end of the town and be back in time for tea.
[old lady laugh: ho, ho, ho, ho, ho]
Well, I can get down to the end of the town and be back in time for tea."
[1]King John put up a notice: "Lost, stolen or strayed.
[2] Lost, stolen or strayed.
[1]James James Morrison's mother seems to have been mislayed.
[2] Seems to have been mislayed.
[1]Wandering vaguely all about, [all] quite of her own accord.
She tried to get down to the end of the town. For two shillings reward."
She tried to get down to the end of the town. For two shillings reward."
[Note: Of course "For two shillings reward" refers back to the "notice"
King John put up, but what odd phrasing! I've always found it confusing
to the listner. Here is a suggested alternative:
"Wandering vaguely all about, wherever she's so inclined.
She tried to get down to the end of the town. She thought nobody would mind."
or "...town, and get back in plenty of time." or you make something up.]
James James Morrison Morrison, [1: spoken] commonly known as "Jim".
Said to his other relations, not to go blamin' him.
For James James said to his mother: [1]"Mother," [2] he said, [3] said he.
"Don't ever go down to the end of the town if you don't go down with me.
You must never go down to the end of the town if you don't go down with me."
[1] James James Morrison's mother, she hasn't been heard of since.
[1] King John said he was sorry, [all] and so did the queen and the prince.
[1] King John [2] somebody told me [3] said to a man he knew:
[1] "If people go down to the end of the town, well what can anyone do?
If people go down to the end of the town, well what can anyone do?"
[Alternate voices every letter on first line]
J J M M W G D-P
Took great care of his hmmmm though he was only three.
Now, J J said to his hmmmm, "Hmmmmm" he said, said he.
"Don't ever go down to the end of the town if you don't go down with me.
You must ever go down to the end of the town if you don't go down with me."
Don't ever go down to the end of the town if you
[stacatto:] don't - go - down - with - me."
Took great of his mother, though he was only three.
James James said to his mother: "Mother," he said, said he.
"Don't ever go down to the end of the town if you don't go down with me.
Don't ever go down to the end of the town if you don't go down with me."
[1] Now, James James Morrison's mother put on her golden gown.
[2] And James James Morrison's mother, she drove to the end of the town.
James James Morrison's mother said to herself, said she:
"Well, I can get down to the end of the town and be back in time for tea.
[old lady laugh: ho, ho, ho, ho, ho]
Well, I can get down to the end of the town and be back in time for tea."
[1]King John put up a notice: "Lost, stolen or strayed.
[2] Lost, stolen or strayed.
[1]James James Morrison's mother seems to have been mislayed.
[2] Seems to have been mislayed.
[1]Wandering vaguely all about, [all] quite of her own accord.
She tried to get down to the end of the town. For two shillings reward."
She tried to get down to the end of the town. For two shillings reward."
[Note: Of course "For two shillings reward" refers back to the "notice"
King John put up, but what odd phrasing! I've always found it confusing
to the listner. Here is a suggested alternative:
"Wandering vaguely all about, wherever she's so inclined.
She tried to get down to the end of the town. She thought nobody would mind."
or "...town, and get back in plenty of time." or you make something up.]
James James Morrison Morrison, [1: spoken] commonly known as "Jim".
Said to his other relations, not to go blamin' him.
For James James said to his mother: [1]"Mother," [2] he said, [3] said he.
"Don't ever go down to the end of the town if you don't go down with me.
You must never go down to the end of the town if you don't go down with me."
[1] James James Morrison's mother, she hasn't been heard of since.
[1] King John said he was sorry, [all] and so did the queen and the prince.
[1] King John [2] somebody told me [3] said to a man he knew:
[1] "If people go down to the end of the town, well what can anyone do?
If people go down to the end of the town, well what can anyone do?"
[Alternate voices every letter on first line]
J J M M W G D-P
Took great care of his hmmmm though he was only three.
Now, J J said to his hmmmm, "Hmmmmm" he said, said he.
"Don't ever go down to the end of the town if you don't go down with me.
You must ever go down to the end of the town if you don't go down with me."
Don't ever go down to the end of the town if you
[stacatto:] don't - go - down - with - me."
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
James James Morrison Morrison Lyrics as written by W.chadbourne Mitchell A A Milne
Lyrics © Walt Disney Music Company
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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