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.
In a face a view, through eyes this world collides.
I am voiceless in my angst
And nothing can take us back to innocence.
Short, sharp, bloodlust reality.
In despair I reach for night
In water purity reigns to be resolute.
As a land we clean our minds, reap our belongings
Sew our angers and our strengths.
All too obsessed by weakness
We have brought ourselves to meaninglessness.
So easy to control, bring to harm.
A gathering of fools unjustified, on a mountain.
I collect my thoughts
And I rise above all that despises me.
Comprehend the ways of man and under a flag
We salute or burn, there is blood on both shores.
With hardened mind I traveled, with hardened heart I conquered
a freedom so ironic, so despicable, so hypocritical.
There is anger resolute.
Rears its familiar head on the TV screen.
In a dozen bags a life was placed.
In a breath he smiled and waved.
For five minutes at a time the power held true.
Without consternation our laws are lost.
Lost to butchers, lost to child killers, lost to narcotic ritual.
Another tag, another headline.
Another smiling face shall stay 10 winters long forever.
And where are the angels to guard?
Where is the god of men and children?
He is stalking the minds of dark poor souls.
I know it's right because I know it's time for freedom:
To kill another and to kill another
And to kill another child of the flag
Till there are none left... and another,
And to kill another, and to kill another...
Gaze upon what you've become
And take a look at what you've done.
You'll repent for what you've done
Raping my daughter, raping my son.
I am voiceless in my angst
And nothing can take us back to innocence.
Short, sharp, bloodlust reality.
In despair I reach for night
In water purity reigns to be resolute.
As a land we clean our minds, reap our belongings
Sew our angers and our strengths.
All too obsessed by weakness
We have brought ourselves to meaninglessness.
So easy to control, bring to harm.
A gathering of fools unjustified, on a mountain.
I collect my thoughts
And I rise above all that despises me.
Comprehend the ways of man and under a flag
We salute or burn, there is blood on both shores.
With hardened mind I traveled, with hardened heart I conquered
a freedom so ironic, so despicable, so hypocritical.
There is anger resolute.
Rears its familiar head on the TV screen.
In a dozen bags a life was placed.
In a breath he smiled and waved.
For five minutes at a time the power held true.
Without consternation our laws are lost.
Lost to butchers, lost to child killers, lost to narcotic ritual.
Another tag, another headline.
Another smiling face shall stay 10 winters long forever.
And where are the angels to guard?
Where is the god of men and children?
He is stalking the minds of dark poor souls.
I know it's right because I know it's time for freedom:
To kill another and to kill another
And to kill another child of the flag
Till there are none left... and another,
And to kill another, and to kill another...
Gaze upon what you've become
And take a look at what you've done.
You'll repent for what you've done
Raping my daughter, raping my son.
Lyrics submitted by Mopnugget
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I believe it is about war. The "Serial Killer" refers to the leader/government/soldiers of the country that goes to war.
"So easy to control, bring to harm. A gathering of fools unjustified, on a mountain." refers to the apathetic and easily fooled public. "Without consternation our laws are lost. " - in war all the laws changes/are lost.
"Lost to butchers, lost to child killers, lost to narcotic ritual." =lost to soldiers
"We salute or burn, there is blood on both shores" refers to the fact that both sides suffer great losses
"Another tag, another headline. " - soldiers were dog tags to be able to identify the dead.
"Another smiling face shall stay 10 winters long forever" - referes to the images of the now dead soldier. (ie. an image shot long before he was dead... often images of a proud soldier in his parade uniform are shown)
"He is stalking the minds of dark poor souls. " the leader/government persuades the people to believe what they say. "I know it's right because I know it's time for freedom" - ironic statement... / what people are made to believe.
"To kill another and to kill another And to kill another child of the flag " to keep sending new soldiers out to die
"Gaze upon what you've become And take a look at what you've done. " - wake up and see what your actions have done. (or to the public.. what you're sympathy for the leader/government led to)