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.
(do you ever have bad dreams? All I have is bad dreams)
I knew a man with a son
Who bought him a gun
And learned shorty just how to use it
Taught him hunting and skinning
Right from the beginning
Built himself a mighty fine killer
But shorty got picked on
Beat on and kicked on
And all his classmates want to punk him
So with tears in his eye
He catch him in a ride
And told his old man he went hunting
And he felt so free
Like his destiny
Lay somewhere out on the horizon
His heart went cold
He felt a hundred years old
And started pulling back on the trigger
[Chorus]
I think I'm gonna die today
And everyone who hurt me's gonna pay
How could such a short time be so long
How could such a young life go so wrong
(what's it gonna take for you to really make it in life?)
See me
Hear me
But don't touch me
You should fear me
Lived your life dearly
'Cause I'm seriously disturbed
That's my word
Straight to my mother
Wayne, my brother
Who found another one to play sucker
'Cause I ain't the one
Who put shade in your sun
And took all your shine
Watch me get mine
Feel my love burn
Me for my sins
Watch the world turn
The saga begins
Losses and wins
Angels and sins
Dancin' on top
Ahead of the pit
Don't know where I'm going
But I know where I've been
I can't hear a sound
I clapped a full round
I came to get down
I came to get dirty
I came to get even
[Chorus]
Momma, don't cry
Please, momma, don't cry
Momma, don't cry
You did nothing wrong
I knew a man with a son
Who bought him a gun
And learned shorty just how to use it
Taught him hunting and skinning
Right from the beginning
Built himself a mighty fine killer
But shorty got picked on
Beat on and kicked on
And all his classmates want to punk him
So with tears in his eye
He catch him in a ride
And told his old man he went hunting
And he felt so free
Like his destiny
Lay somewhere out on the horizon
His heart went cold
He felt a hundred years old
And started pulling back on the trigger
[Chorus]
I think I'm gonna die today
And everyone who hurt me's gonna pay
How could such a short time be so long
How could such a young life go so wrong
(what's it gonna take for you to really make it in life?)
See me
Hear me
But don't touch me
You should fear me
Lived your life dearly
'Cause I'm seriously disturbed
That's my word
Straight to my mother
Wayne, my brother
Who found another one to play sucker
'Cause I ain't the one
Who put shade in your sun
And took all your shine
Watch me get mine
Feel my love burn
Me for my sins
Watch the world turn
The saga begins
Losses and wins
Angels and sins
Dancin' on top
Ahead of the pit
Don't know where I'm going
But I know where I've been
I can't hear a sound
I clapped a full round
I came to get down
I came to get dirty
I came to get even
[Chorus]
Momma, don't cry
Please, momma, don't cry
Momma, don't cry
You did nothing wrong
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
So Long Lyrics as written by Greg Kendall
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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