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.
Come on, you children, gather around,
Gather around, you children,
And we will lose that evil spirit
Called the Voodoo, Voodoo!
Nothing but trouble if he has found,
If he has found you, children!
But you can chase the hoodoo
With the dance that you do, you do.
Let me lead the way,
There's a new belief today,
But he'll never hound you;
Stamp on the ground, you children, come on!
Clap your hands! Slap your thigh!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Everybody come along and join the jubilee!
Clap your hands! Slap your thigh!
Don't you lose time! Don't you lose time!
Come along, it's "Shake your shoes" time
Now for you and me!
On the sands of time
You are only a pebble,
Don't forget that!
But remember, trouble must be treated
Just like a rebel;
Then send him to the Devil!
Clap your hands! Slap your thigh!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Everybody come along and join the jubilee!
Clap your hands! Slap your thigh!
Hallelujah!
Everybody come along and join the jubilee!
Clap your hands! Slap your thigh!
Don't you lose time! Don't you lose time!
Come along, it's "Shake your shoes" time
Now for you and me!
(scat)
On the sands of time
You are only a pebble,
But remember, trouble must be treated
Just like a rebel;
Then send him to the Devil!
Clap your hands! Slap your thigh!
Hallelujah!
Everybody come along and join the jubilee!
Come along now!
Clap your hands! Then slap your thigh!
Come on, let's do that dance!
Clap your hands! Slap your thigh!
Don't you lose time! Don't you lose time!
Come along, it's "Shake your shoes" time
Now for you and me!
On the sands if time, come on now!
Mm-mmm!
Then send him to the Devil!
Clap your hands! Slap your thigh!
Hallelujah!
Everybody come along and join the jubil...
Gather around, you children,
And we will lose that evil spirit
Called the Voodoo, Voodoo!
Nothing but trouble if he has found,
If he has found you, children!
But you can chase the hoodoo
With the dance that you do, you do.
Let me lead the way,
There's a new belief today,
But he'll never hound you;
Stamp on the ground, you children, come on!
Clap your hands! Slap your thigh!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Everybody come along and join the jubilee!
Clap your hands! Slap your thigh!
Don't you lose time! Don't you lose time!
Come along, it's "Shake your shoes" time
Now for you and me!
On the sands of time
You are only a pebble,
Don't forget that!
But remember, trouble must be treated
Just like a rebel;
Then send him to the Devil!
Clap your hands! Slap your thigh!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Everybody come along and join the jubilee!
Clap your hands! Slap your thigh!
Hallelujah!
Everybody come along and join the jubilee!
Clap your hands! Slap your thigh!
Don't you lose time! Don't you lose time!
Come along, it's "Shake your shoes" time
Now for you and me!
(scat)
On the sands of time
You are only a pebble,
But remember, trouble must be treated
Just like a rebel;
Then send him to the Devil!
Clap your hands! Slap your thigh!
Hallelujah!
Everybody come along and join the jubilee!
Come along now!
Clap your hands! Then slap your thigh!
Come on, let's do that dance!
Clap your hands! Slap your thigh!
Don't you lose time! Don't you lose time!
Come along, it's "Shake your shoes" time
Now for you and me!
On the sands if time, come on now!
Mm-mmm!
Then send him to the Devil!
Clap your hands! Slap your thigh!
Hallelujah!
Everybody come along and join the jubil...
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Clap Yo' Hands Lyrics as written by Ira Gershwin George Gershwin
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Hipgnosis Songs Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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