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.
Raunioita tuhotun kaupungin vierestä katsellen
Vai yläpuolella auringon eksyneenä taivasta halkoen?
Koska kuoli tuo kurja olento, tiedä en
Kynnet selässään hetken levähtää
Kasvot hiekassa hetki katoaa
Liian kauas katseensa hamuaa
Kun eivät kotkatkaan pilvissä lennä
On rauta voimaton aikaa vastaan
Kaikki aseensa joutuvat laskemaan
Ja kaiken turhuuden unohtaen
Suohon päätyy vielä tämäkin
Vain tuhkaa poltetun kaupungin unet valloittajien
Yläpuolella auringon tyhjyys olkoon maa täältä karkoitettujen
Kynnet selässään hetken levähtää
Kasvot hiekassa hetki katoaa
Hitain askelin liian kaukaa
Moni itselleen aarteita saalistaa
On rauta voimaton aikaa vastaan
Kaikki lihassaan joutuvat kitumaan
Turha on väsyneen odottaa
Kuka valmis on matkastaan luopumaan
Tällä tiellä ei kukaan kulje meitä vastaan
Lopulta aika palkitsee
Minkä ajassa ihminen kärsii
Kuolema kalventaa kaikkien kasvot
Jättää ruumiit kynsiin korppien
Miekasta nielet veren jonka lasket
Suohon päädyt vielä sinäkin
Puiden oksilla, vuorten rinteillä
Istuvat vaiti nuo hahmot
Vain odottaen että polvillesi putoat
Ja kasvosi hiekkaan painat
Et enää liiku, silloin tiedät...
English translation:
Staring the ruins of a defeated town
Or splitting the sky lost beyond the sun?
When did that cursed being die, i know not
Claws in his back he lays to rest
Face in the sand and it all is gone
Too far his stare is trying to reach
While eagles soar below the clouds
Iron has no strength against time
All have to lay down their arms
And to forget all that is vain
Into the swamp this will end
Mere ashes of a burnt town the dreams of conquerors
The void beyond the sun now the land for the banished
Claws in his back he lays to rest
Face in the sand and it all is gone
By slow footsteps from too far away
Many are claiming treasures for themselves
Iron has no strength against time
All are destined in the torment of flesh
In vain the tired will wait
Who are ready to give up their journey
For on this path none will cross our way
Eventually time will repay
What man has suffered in time
Faces turn pale in death
And corpses are left for the crows
By the sword shall you swallow the blood you have let
Into the swamp you will end
On the branches of trees, on the mountain slopes
Those silent figures are watching
Waiting for you to fall on your knees
And to bury your face in the sand
You no longer move, it’s when you know...
Vai yläpuolella auringon eksyneenä taivasta halkoen?
Koska kuoli tuo kurja olento, tiedä en
Kynnet selässään hetken levähtää
Kasvot hiekassa hetki katoaa
Liian kauas katseensa hamuaa
Kun eivät kotkatkaan pilvissä lennä
On rauta voimaton aikaa vastaan
Kaikki aseensa joutuvat laskemaan
Ja kaiken turhuuden unohtaen
Suohon päätyy vielä tämäkin
Vain tuhkaa poltetun kaupungin unet valloittajien
Yläpuolella auringon tyhjyys olkoon maa täältä karkoitettujen
Kynnet selässään hetken levähtää
Kasvot hiekassa hetki katoaa
Hitain askelin liian kaukaa
Moni itselleen aarteita saalistaa
On rauta voimaton aikaa vastaan
Kaikki lihassaan joutuvat kitumaan
Turha on väsyneen odottaa
Kuka valmis on matkastaan luopumaan
Tällä tiellä ei kukaan kulje meitä vastaan
Lopulta aika palkitsee
Minkä ajassa ihminen kärsii
Kuolema kalventaa kaikkien kasvot
Jättää ruumiit kynsiin korppien
Miekasta nielet veren jonka lasket
Suohon päädyt vielä sinäkin
Puiden oksilla, vuorten rinteillä
Istuvat vaiti nuo hahmot
Vain odottaen että polvillesi putoat
Ja kasvosi hiekkaan painat
Et enää liiku, silloin tiedät...
English translation:
Staring the ruins of a defeated town
Or splitting the sky lost beyond the sun?
When did that cursed being die, i know not
Claws in his back he lays to rest
Face in the sand and it all is gone
Too far his stare is trying to reach
While eagles soar below the clouds
Iron has no strength against time
All have to lay down their arms
And to forget all that is vain
Into the swamp this will end
Mere ashes of a burnt town the dreams of conquerors
The void beyond the sun now the land for the banished
Claws in his back he lays to rest
Face in the sand and it all is gone
By slow footsteps from too far away
Many are claiming treasures for themselves
Iron has no strength against time
All are destined in the torment of flesh
In vain the tired will wait
Who are ready to give up their journey
For on this path none will cross our way
Eventually time will repay
What man has suffered in time
Faces turn pale in death
And corpses are left for the crows
By the sword shall you swallow the blood you have let
Into the swamp you will end
On the branches of trees, on the mountain slopes
Those silent figures are watching
Waiting for you to fall on your knees
And to bury your face in the sand
You no longer move, it’s when you know...
Lyrics submitted by sokorny
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In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.