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.
my brother kicked his feet to sleep
my brother kicked his feet to sleep
my brother kicked his feet to sleep
and I sang the dirge song
my brother never missed a beat
my brother kicked his feet to sleep sweet feet
my brother kicked his feet to sleep
and I sang the dirge song
Angel don't you have some bagels in my oven?
Lady don't you know a man when you see one?
Crazy lady with the shiny shoes, where are you?
Kick your feet and calm the space that makes
you hollow
little swami's got his bowl to eat
little swami always walks his beat, sweet feet
little swami's got his bowl to eat
and I sing the dirge song
it's amazing how they come to see
the little swami with his bowl to eat, sweet feet
the little swami only wears a sheet
and won't sing the dirge song
anal, tight-assed soldier with that dogged heart
put down your gun
we are ready to explode, we gotta take it smart
and take it slow
my brother kicked his feet to sleep
my brother kicked his feet to sleep
and I sang the dirge song
my brother never missed a beat
my brother kicked his feet to sleep sweet feet
my brother kicked his feet to sleep
and I sang the dirge song
Angel don't you have some bagels in my oven?
Lady don't you know a man when you see one?
Crazy lady with the shiny shoes, where are you?
Kick your feet and calm the space that makes
you hollow
little swami's got his bowl to eat
little swami always walks his beat, sweet feet
little swami's got his bowl to eat
and I sing the dirge song
it's amazing how they come to see
the little swami with his bowl to eat, sweet feet
the little swami only wears a sheet
and won't sing the dirge song
anal, tight-assed soldier with that dogged heart
put down your gun
we are ready to explode, we gotta take it smart
and take it slow
Lyrics submitted by Caverna[RR]
Insomnia and the Hole in the Universe Lyrics as written by Chad David Taylor Chad Alan Gracey
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song is about the differences between east and west thinking. Swami = East Brother, I = West. My brother kicked his feet to sleep is saying that like a kid he did not want to sleep or accept that he needed to. And in the west we dont accept death as a natural part of things therefore we sing the dirge song.
The part about bagels and shiny shoes is about wanting more. Bagels as oppossed to bread Shiny shoes instead of just shoes. People not comfortable with who they are or what they have.
All the east have is a sheet as clothes and they dont attempt to want more than what they need. They also have a different idea of what death is and dont need to mourne in the same way.