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.
Insurmountable
I’m looking up at me looking down
If I should fall, break a bone
You’ll tell me that you told me so
And if I try to climb
To aspire to be my future self
If I don’t make it, you’ll just laugh
In the kindest way you ever have
Still it’ll cut like glass
Mercy, Father, have mercy
Could I get what I need please?
‘Cause I need some sort of education
But I’d prefer edification
Mercy, Father have mercy
Mercy, mercy, mercy
Insurmountable
I’m looking ‘round, trying to figure out how
How, how, how
How to get to where you earned
But cut out all of that hard work
And if I dare to venture
Get lost somewhere in Australia
If I should fail, you’ll tell me I
Didn’t try as hard as I have might
The will and the drive
It’s nice
But it hurts me inside
Mercy, Father, have mercy
Could I get what I need please?
‘Cause I need some sort of education
But I’d prefer edification
Mercy, Father have mercy
Mercy, mercy, mercy
Mercy, Father, have mercy
Could I get what I need please?
‘Cause I need some sort of education
But I’d prefer edification
Mercy, Father have mercy
Mercy, mercy, mercy
Insurmountable
I’m looking in as I’m meddling
With my 60-year-old wine
Trying to get drunk before my time
And if I stay on the line
Let You pull me up with all Your might
If the line frays and breaks
You’ll tell me I should have a little faith
Don’t get cute
‘Cause it could be my fate
Mercy, Father, have mercy
Could I get what I need please?
‘Cause I need some sort of education
But I’d prefer edification
Mercy, Father have mercy
Mercy, mercy, mercy
Mercy, Father, have mercy
Could I get what I need please?
‘Cause I need some sort of education
But I’d prefer edification
Mercy, Father have mercy
Mercy, mercy
I’m looking up at me looking down
If I should fall, break a bone
You’ll tell me that you told me so
And if I try to climb
To aspire to be my future self
If I don’t make it, you’ll just laugh
In the kindest way you ever have
Still it’ll cut like glass
Mercy, Father, have mercy
Could I get what I need please?
‘Cause I need some sort of education
But I’d prefer edification
Mercy, Father have mercy
Mercy, mercy, mercy
Insurmountable
I’m looking ‘round, trying to figure out how
How, how, how
How to get to where you earned
But cut out all of that hard work
And if I dare to venture
Get lost somewhere in Australia
If I should fail, you’ll tell me I
Didn’t try as hard as I have might
The will and the drive
It’s nice
But it hurts me inside
Mercy, Father, have mercy
Could I get what I need please?
‘Cause I need some sort of education
But I’d prefer edification
Mercy, Father have mercy
Mercy, mercy, mercy
Mercy, Father, have mercy
Could I get what I need please?
‘Cause I need some sort of education
But I’d prefer edification
Mercy, Father have mercy
Mercy, mercy, mercy
Insurmountable
I’m looking in as I’m meddling
With my 60-year-old wine
Trying to get drunk before my time
And if I stay on the line
Let You pull me up with all Your might
If the line frays and breaks
You’ll tell me I should have a little faith
Don’t get cute
‘Cause it could be my fate
Mercy, Father, have mercy
Could I get what I need please?
‘Cause I need some sort of education
But I’d prefer edification
Mercy, Father have mercy
Mercy, mercy, mercy
Mercy, Father, have mercy
Could I get what I need please?
‘Cause I need some sort of education
But I’d prefer edification
Mercy, Father have mercy
Mercy, mercy
Lyrics submitted by VANESSAA
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