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.
Welcome now, son,
To where the work is never done
And the hungry are seldom ever fed
The department of false hope
Is a proving ground for dopes
And they'll grind your tiny bones to make their bread
So hold your head up high, forgotten man
Tomorrow won't be made for you
And everybody's gonna try to lend a helping hand
Forgotten man, there's nothing more to do
He crackled on the radio
Through bright plumes of the sun
The announcer said the age of faith was dead
Though the adolescent nation
Was just looking for salvation
The beast of reason reared its ugly head
So hold your head up high, forgotten man
Tomorrow's not for me and you
And everybody's gonna try to lend a helping hand
Forgotten man, there's nothing more to do
From your cradle of destruction
With the poorest of instruction
And nearest sliver of a tune
Oh, you managed somehow to muddle through
So hold your head up high, forgotten man
Tomorrow's not for me and you
And everybody's gonna try to lend a helping hand
Forgotten man, there's nothing more to do
There is nothing more
To where the work is never done
And the hungry are seldom ever fed
The department of false hope
Is a proving ground for dopes
And they'll grind your tiny bones to make their bread
So hold your head up high, forgotten man
Tomorrow won't be made for you
And everybody's gonna try to lend a helping hand
Forgotten man, there's nothing more to do
He crackled on the radio
Through bright plumes of the sun
The announcer said the age of faith was dead
Though the adolescent nation
Was just looking for salvation
The beast of reason reared its ugly head
So hold your head up high, forgotten man
Tomorrow's not for me and you
And everybody's gonna try to lend a helping hand
Forgotten man, there's nothing more to do
From your cradle of destruction
With the poorest of instruction
And nearest sliver of a tune
Oh, you managed somehow to muddle through
So hold your head up high, forgotten man
Tomorrow's not for me and you
And everybody's gonna try to lend a helping hand
Forgotten man, there's nothing more to do
There is nothing more
Lyrics submitted by MIKERUPTION, edited by Mellow_Harsher
Dept. of False Hope Lyrics as written by Greg Graffin Brett W. Gurewitz
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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"Welcome my son to where the work is never done And the hungry are seldom ever fed The department of false hope is a proving ground for dopes And they'll grind your tiny bones to make their bread (Hosanna)
It makes me think about modern ideals for employement in this economic climate. Our society as a whole is on autopilot, driven by our subconscious. Take for instance generic job titles performing relatively menial tasks. Public servants going thru the motions with no "real" creative outlets. Obsequious tasks that we chatter about becomes bigger than the actual task itself in the grand scheme. Although we never feel shackled, we've become prisoner to a vested system that literally will never run out of these tasks in order to operate accordingly. It will grind your tiny bones to make their bread. You are insignificant and can be replaced by the next man waiting in line to secure a paycheck. You managed somehow to muddle through, so accept your gold watch when you're too old to travel and enjoy that pension. You're going to need those great medical benefits you've worked for the past 45 years. So hold your head up high forgotten man, there is nothing more.