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.
If I had wings I would fly away from
All my troubles, all my thing
And I would fly to a place of comfort
Heaven knows I need a change
If I had wings, Lord give me wings
Oh I've had my share of sorrow
Walked alone, a lonesome road
I could use a new tomorrow
If I had wings I'd make it so
One cannot predict the future
One cannot undo the past
But we can make the present useful
Build a future that will last
If I had wings I'd fly away from
All my troubles, all my wounds
And I would fly 'till I found freedom
If I had wings I'd up and go home
If I had wings, Lord give me wings
If I had wings I'd fly away from
All my troubles, all my wounds
And I would fly 'till I found freedom
If I had wings I'd up and go home
If I had wings, Lord give me wings
If I had wings, oh if I had wings
If I had wings, oh Lord just give me wings
If I had wings, if had wings I'd make a change
If I had wings, if I had wings
If I had wings, if I had wings
All my troubles, all my thing
And I would fly to a place of comfort
Heaven knows I need a change
If I had wings, Lord give me wings
Oh I've had my share of sorrow
Walked alone, a lonesome road
I could use a new tomorrow
If I had wings I'd make it so
One cannot predict the future
One cannot undo the past
But we can make the present useful
Build a future that will last
If I had wings I'd fly away from
All my troubles, all my wounds
And I would fly 'till I found freedom
If I had wings I'd up and go home
If I had wings, Lord give me wings
If I had wings I'd fly away from
All my troubles, all my wounds
And I would fly 'till I found freedom
If I had wings I'd up and go home
If I had wings, Lord give me wings
If I had wings, oh if I had wings
If I had wings, oh Lord just give me wings
If I had wings, if had wings I'd make a change
If I had wings, if I had wings
If I had wings, if I had wings
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