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.
Back in the day I never had to choose my way without a clue
No need for a hand
Unaware that I was dancing on the edge but wasn't due
Oh, serene's the sea behind me, into the whirl of devil time
A gentle rocking, then a crack in the cradle
You're asleep until you hit the ground
One for this road and another for after?
Someone tell me: what's yer 'after' all about?
From ease to the sky, until the world gets in the way
Ring in the age: countdown to zero
Chasing the afterglow
The outcome is set as far as I know
Time and again the sundown it screams my name
But I try to turn away
The gorge of the instant devours the future
To spit it out as a fading memory
Gimme the strength to defy contradiction
When my mindset fails to let me see
Will I travel on and longing pave the road?
Ring in the age: countdown to zero
Chasing the afterglow
The outcome is set as far as they know
Is it the end or maybe the outset
Or just a stage of a whole that I can't survey
Time and again it's screaming my name
[Solo]
So you don't wanna see
You realize that your senses have come to the edge
And you don't trust a single one
Don't wanna turn your inside towards the sky
Are we afraid to catch a glimpse of truth tonight?
Could the heavens reveals what's inside the afterglow?
Is this light just based on perception now?
Or do I refuse to perceive what is hard to ignore?
From ease through fire into afterglow...
And you don't wanna see
See that your eyes have come
To a point where you don't see why and where you run
Will you turn your inside towards the sky
You're scared to death by what your heart may see tonight
Pictures of void burn in the afterglow
Purification or just a perception now?
Will you refuse to feel what you can't ignore
From ease through fire into afterglow...
I look up in search of forever and wonder
Trying to make out that day
That I had to give my inherent
Spiritual juvenility away and again:
Why is it made so difficult for us to read the signs that we
Have to read in order just to understand
Read so we can comprehend a trace of eternity
I look up in search of forever and wonder
Trying to make out that day
That I had to give my inherent spiritual juvenility away and again:
Why is it made so difficult for us to read the signs that we
Have to read in order just to understand
Read so we can comprehend a trace of eternity
Have to read in order just to understand
Read so we can comprehend a trace of eternity
Oh I feel like I'm to wander
I can't fathom but I'm bound to journey on
Oh eternally I'll wander
I'm a spiritual eternal wayfarer, oh
I try to look as far as the eye can see
Past and beyond the dark painted wall, oh
Ring in the age: countdown to zero
Chasing the afterglow
The outcome is set as far as they know
Is it the end or maybe the outset
Or just a stage of a whole that I can't survey
Time and again it's screaming my name
No need for a hand
Unaware that I was dancing on the edge but wasn't due
Oh, serene's the sea behind me, into the whirl of devil time
A gentle rocking, then a crack in the cradle
You're asleep until you hit the ground
One for this road and another for after?
Someone tell me: what's yer 'after' all about?
From ease to the sky, until the world gets in the way
Ring in the age: countdown to zero
Chasing the afterglow
The outcome is set as far as I know
Time and again the sundown it screams my name
But I try to turn away
The gorge of the instant devours the future
To spit it out as a fading memory
Gimme the strength to defy contradiction
When my mindset fails to let me see
Will I travel on and longing pave the road?
Ring in the age: countdown to zero
Chasing the afterglow
The outcome is set as far as they know
Is it the end or maybe the outset
Or just a stage of a whole that I can't survey
Time and again it's screaming my name
[Solo]
So you don't wanna see
You realize that your senses have come to the edge
And you don't trust a single one
Don't wanna turn your inside towards the sky
Are we afraid to catch a glimpse of truth tonight?
Could the heavens reveals what's inside the afterglow?
Is this light just based on perception now?
Or do I refuse to perceive what is hard to ignore?
From ease through fire into afterglow...
And you don't wanna see
See that your eyes have come
To a point where you don't see why and where you run
Will you turn your inside towards the sky
You're scared to death by what your heart may see tonight
Pictures of void burn in the afterglow
Purification or just a perception now?
Will you refuse to feel what you can't ignore
From ease through fire into afterglow...
I look up in search of forever and wonder
Trying to make out that day
That I had to give my inherent
Spiritual juvenility away and again:
Why is it made so difficult for us to read the signs that we
Have to read in order just to understand
Read so we can comprehend a trace of eternity
I look up in search of forever and wonder
Trying to make out that day
That I had to give my inherent spiritual juvenility away and again:
Why is it made so difficult for us to read the signs that we
Have to read in order just to understand
Read so we can comprehend a trace of eternity
Have to read in order just to understand
Read so we can comprehend a trace of eternity
Oh I feel like I'm to wander
I can't fathom but I'm bound to journey on
Oh eternally I'll wander
I'm a spiritual eternal wayfarer, oh
I try to look as far as the eye can see
Past and beyond the dark painted wall, oh
Ring in the age: countdown to zero
Chasing the afterglow
The outcome is set as far as they know
Is it the end or maybe the outset
Or just a stage of a whole that I can't survey
Time and again it's screaming my name
Lyrics submitted by KennyL9590
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Who knows? Tobi’s lyrics are bizarre and nearly incomprehensible on every song he’s ever written. English is definitely his second language. Although it sounds like it might be his third language. Normally I would say get someone else to clean up your lyrics, but he’s been at it for so long it’s probably too late anyway. My best guess is that this song is about someone trying to find his way, trying to comprehend the nature of life and the universe.
@Soul_schizm They are non bizzare, they are metaphoric. "The Eternal Wayfarer" is about hearing a call from something beyond our senses, ratio and everyday life. It's difficult to follow that call sometimes. These lines are about it, for example:<br /> <br /> "So you don't wanna see<br /> You realize that your senses have come to the edge<br /> And you don't trust a single one<br /> Don't wanna turn your inside towards the sky<br /> Are we afraid to catch a glimpse of truth tonight?"<br />