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 it be your will
That I speak no more
And my voice be still
As it was before
I will speak no more
I shall abide until
I am spoken for
If it be your will
If it be your will
That a voice be true
From this broken hill
I will sing to you
From this broken hill
All your praises they shall ring
If it be your will
To let me sing
From this broken hill
All your praises they shall ring
If it be your will
To let me sing
If it be your will
If there is a choice
Let the rivers fill
Let the hills rejoice
Let your mercy spill
On all these burning hearts in hell
If it be your will
To make us well
And draw us near
And bind us tight
All your children here
In their rags of light
In our rags of light
All dressed to kill
And end this night
If it be your will
If it be your will
That I speak no more
And my voice be still
As it was before
I will speak no more
I shall abide until
I am spoken for
If it be your will
If it be your will
That a voice be true
From this broken hill
I will sing to you
From this broken hill
All your praises they shall ring
If it be your will
To let me sing
From this broken hill
All your praises they shall ring
If it be your will
To let me sing
If it be your will
If there is a choice
Let the rivers fill
Let the hills rejoice
Let your mercy spill
On all these burning hearts in hell
If it be your will
To make us well
And draw us near
And bind us tight
All your children here
In their rags of light
In our rags of light
All dressed to kill
And end this night
If it be your will
If it be your will
Lyrics submitted by Fistan, edited by traumermusing, Mellow_Harsher
If It Be Your Will Lyrics as written by Leonard Cohen
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I always felt it was v about a ex lovers rejection, his surrendering to that which he can not change, "the speak no more" referring to the end of the compromise that is a relationship. "The voice be still" reference is a graceful non angered goodbye, understanding is not easy for anyone. "I shall abide until, I have been spoken for" in reference to his not being done with the relationship but the other is. "If it be your will" again referring to the unrequited love. " that a voice be true" reference to honesty, " from this broken hill, I will sing to you" the hill being the relationship that is broken, and the singing is him pleading not to end it, "all the praises they shall ring" meaning he is trying to remind her off the good times, "to let me sing" if she will hear him. "If there is a choice, let the rivets fill, let the hills rejoice" explaining how he doesn't want it to end, "let your mercy spill, on all the burning hearts in hell" the burning heart is the heart that's in love and its in hell from being dumped, the mercy would be not calling it quits, "to make us well, bins us tight all your children here in there rags of light" to get us back together, marriage the tie that binds.. we are the 'children. The rags of light is our lost innocent during this fight."all dressed to kill" refers to killing the relationship "end this night" being this horrible feeling, or fight, " if it be your will " submission up her wishes to end the relationship.
Problably not what LC jag in mind but that's what it's ment to me for 20 years -David maryniak
@dmayniak Thanks for your interpretation, It is also a similar meaning for me, my wife leave me and I was broken, and this song helped me and gives me hope..