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.
My mamma’s drowning
And she won’t stop
Until she’s sinking
Until all has been forgot
It’s getting heavier
Holding you up
We’re both going under
If you decide you’re giving up
Mamma I need you to swim to shore
Show me you’re fighting that inner war
Isn’t it in you to want to be living like before
So tell me, tell me now
Tell me you’re gonna try
And tell me you don’t wanna break my heart
The water’s getting colder
It’s nearly frozen over
I’m finding it hard to move
And soon we’re going to lose
Mamma’s falling
She’s falling fast
And I can’t reach her
Cause she’s stumbling on the past
Mamma I need you to wake up
Leave what you’ve lost, see what you’ve got
I am what you forgot
Tell me, tell me why
Tell me you’re gonna try
Tell me, cause you’ve been breaking my heart
The water’s growing colder
It’s nearly frozen over
I’m finding it hard to move
And soon we’re going to lose
The water’s growing colder
It’s nearly frozen over
I’m finding it hard to move
And soon we’re going to lose
I just don’t read you, why you calling for help?
You’re letting me go every time I let out my rope
Are you calling, are you calling?
Make me understand
I just don’t read you, why you calling for help?
You’re letting me go every time I let out my rope
Are you calling, are you calling?
Make me understand
So tell me, tell me now
Tell me you’re gonna try
Tell me you don’t wanna break my heart
Tell me, tell me why
Tell me you’ve gotta try
Tell me you don’t wanna break my heart
The water’s getting colder
It’s nearly frozen over
I’m finding it hard to move
And soon we’re going to lose
We’re both growing older
Feelings flowing over
And soon it will be to late
To realize our mistake
And she won’t stop
Until she’s sinking
Until all has been forgot
It’s getting heavier
Holding you up
We’re both going under
If you decide you’re giving up
Mamma I need you to swim to shore
Show me you’re fighting that inner war
Isn’t it in you to want to be living like before
So tell me, tell me now
Tell me you’re gonna try
And tell me you don’t wanna break my heart
The water’s getting colder
It’s nearly frozen over
I’m finding it hard to move
And soon we’re going to lose
Mamma’s falling
She’s falling fast
And I can’t reach her
Cause she’s stumbling on the past
Mamma I need you to wake up
Leave what you’ve lost, see what you’ve got
I am what you forgot
Tell me, tell me why
Tell me you’re gonna try
Tell me, cause you’ve been breaking my heart
The water’s growing colder
It’s nearly frozen over
I’m finding it hard to move
And soon we’re going to lose
The water’s growing colder
It’s nearly frozen over
I’m finding it hard to move
And soon we’re going to lose
I just don’t read you, why you calling for help?
You’re letting me go every time I let out my rope
Are you calling, are you calling?
Make me understand
I just don’t read you, why you calling for help?
You’re letting me go every time I let out my rope
Are you calling, are you calling?
Make me understand
So tell me, tell me now
Tell me you’re gonna try
Tell me you don’t wanna break my heart
Tell me, tell me why
Tell me you’ve gotta try
Tell me you don’t wanna break my heart
The water’s getting colder
It’s nearly frozen over
I’m finding it hard to move
And soon we’re going to lose
We’re both growing older
Feelings flowing over
And soon it will be to late
To realize our mistake
Lyrics submitted by BellaZ
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