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.
Well it almost makes me cry to tell
What foolish Harriet does befell
Mama and nurse went out one day
And left her all alone to play
Well on the table close at hand
A box of matches chanced to stand
Well mama and nurse had told her
That if she touched them they would scold her
Well Harriet said what a pity
‘Cos when they burn they seem so pretty
They crackle so they spit and flame
Mama and papa do often do the same
So she wouldn't take their advice
She lit a match it was so nice
It crackled so it burnt so clear
Exactly like the picture here
So she jumped for joy and she ran about
And was too pleased to put it out
Well the pussy cats they saw this
They said naughty naughty naughty Miss
Oh miaow miaoh miaow miaoh
She's burning to death we told her so
Well see what a dreadful dreadful thing
The fire has caught her apron string
She burns all over everywhere
She burns her nose and her arms and her hair
‘Til she's got nothing left to lose
Except her little scarlet shoes
And only these only these are found
Amongst her ashes on the ground
Oh miaow miaoh miaow miaoh
She's burnt to death we told her so
Oh miaow miaoh miaow miaoh
She's burnt to death we told her so
The pussy cats they sat beside
Her steaming ashes and they cried
Oh miaow miaoh miaow miaoh
She's burnt to death we told her so
Oh miaow miaoh miaow miaoh
She's burnt to death we told her so
What foolish Harriet does befell
Mama and nurse went out one day
And left her all alone to play
Well on the table close at hand
A box of matches chanced to stand
Well mama and nurse had told her
That if she touched them they would scold her
Well Harriet said what a pity
‘Cos when they burn they seem so pretty
They crackle so they spit and flame
Mama and papa do often do the same
So she wouldn't take their advice
She lit a match it was so nice
It crackled so it burnt so clear
Exactly like the picture here
So she jumped for joy and she ran about
And was too pleased to put it out
Well the pussy cats they saw this
They said naughty naughty naughty Miss
Oh miaow miaoh miaow miaoh
She's burning to death we told her so
Well see what a dreadful dreadful thing
The fire has caught her apron string
She burns all over everywhere
She burns her nose and her arms and her hair
‘Til she's got nothing left to lose
Except her little scarlet shoes
And only these only these are found
Amongst her ashes on the ground
Oh miaow miaoh miaow miaoh
She's burnt to death we told her so
Oh miaow miaoh miaow miaoh
She's burnt to death we told her so
The pussy cats they sat beside
Her steaming ashes and they cried
Oh miaow miaoh miaow miaoh
She's burnt to death we told her so
Oh miaow miaoh miaow miaoh
She's burnt to death we told her so
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
The Dreadful Story About Harriet and the Matches song meanings
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