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.
Keep me past the gate
I've worn the world without a word
And I don't care too much for what they say
Grip my smothering end
Another day will pass again
Keep My fire alive for I'm not afraid
Can I make them understand
Who in the world would have thought this
God I'll never know your plans
Doin what i got to
What I Got to hang on
Cause I'm doin what I got to
What I got to hang on
Hanging on by a thread this is what I got
So hang on to this
Keep me pacified
The light will never see my face
For this must be a better place
Keep them entertained
I've lost the feel, I've lost the pain
For this seems to be a better place
Can I make them understand
Who in the world would have thought this
God I'll never know your plans
Doin what i got to
What I Got to hang on
Cause I'm doin what I got to
What I got to hang on
Hanging on by a thread this is what I got
So hang on to this
Maybe you'll find what you seek
If you hold on to truth
Then your truth will set you free
I've worn the world without a word
And I don't care too much for what they say
Grip my smothering end
Another day will pass again
Keep My fire alive for I'm not afraid
Can I make them understand
Who in the world would have thought this
God I'll never know your plans
Doin what i got to
What I Got to hang on
Cause I'm doin what I got to
What I got to hang on
Hanging on by a thread this is what I got
So hang on to this
Keep me pacified
The light will never see my face
For this must be a better place
Keep them entertained
I've lost the feel, I've lost the pain
For this seems to be a better place
Can I make them understand
Who in the world would have thought this
God I'll never know your plans
Doin what i got to
What I Got to hang on
Cause I'm doin what I got to
What I got to hang on
Hanging on by a thread this is what I got
So hang on to this
Maybe you'll find what you seek
If you hold on to truth
Then your truth will set you free
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar
Hang on to This Lyrics as written by Travis Shane Meeks
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In a chat, Travis Meeks says that Hang On To This is supposed to be a transition song from Green to Red. He said that the two songs (Last One, the last track on Green and Hang On To This, the first track on Red) connect. It goes from "Cannot complain, the pain will stay" to "I got to hang on"