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 daddy was a bank robber
But he never hurt nobody
He just loved to live that way
And he loved to steal your money
Some is rich, and some is poor
And that's the way the world is
But I don't believe in laying back
Sayin' how bad your luck is
So he came to jazz it up
Never learned to shovel
Break your back to earn our pay
Don't forget to grovel
My daddy was a bank robber
But he never hurt nobody
He just loved to live that way
And he loved to take your money
He's gone now
The old man spoke up in a bar
Said "I never been in prison
A lifetime serving one machine
Is ten times worse than prison"
Imagine if all the boys in jail
Could get out now together
Whadda you think they'd want to say to us?
While we was being clever
Someday you'll meet your rocking chair
'Cause that's where we're spinning
There's no point to want to comb your hair
When it's grey and thinning
Oh
Hey, my daddy was a bank robber
But he never hurt nobody
He just loved to live that way
And he loved to steal your money
So he came to jazz it up
We never learned to shovel
Break your back to earn your pay
And don't forget to grovel, hey
Get away, get away, get away, get away, get away, get away, get away
My daddy was a bank robber
But he never hurt nobody
He just loved to live that way
And he loved to steal your money
Hey
Run, rabbit run
Brrrp, strike out boys, for the hills
I can find that hole in the wall
I know that they never will
Daddy was a bank robber
But he never hurt nobody
He just loved to live that way
But he never hurt nobody
He just loved to live that way
And he loved to steal your money
Some is rich, and some is poor
And that's the way the world is
But I don't believe in laying back
Sayin' how bad your luck is
So he came to jazz it up
Never learned to shovel
Break your back to earn our pay
Don't forget to grovel
My daddy was a bank robber
But he never hurt nobody
He just loved to live that way
And he loved to take your money
He's gone now
The old man spoke up in a bar
Said "I never been in prison
A lifetime serving one machine
Is ten times worse than prison"
Imagine if all the boys in jail
Could get out now together
Whadda you think they'd want to say to us?
While we was being clever
Someday you'll meet your rocking chair
'Cause that's where we're spinning
There's no point to want to comb your hair
When it's grey and thinning
Oh
Hey, my daddy was a bank robber
But he never hurt nobody
He just loved to live that way
And he loved to steal your money
So he came to jazz it up
We never learned to shovel
Break your back to earn your pay
And don't forget to grovel, hey
Get away, get away, get away, get away, get away, get away, get away
My daddy was a bank robber
But he never hurt nobody
He just loved to live that way
And he loved to steal your money
Hey
Run, rabbit run
Brrrp, strike out boys, for the hills
I can find that hole in the wall
I know that they never will
Daddy was a bank robber
But he never hurt nobody
He just loved to live that way
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only discovered this from rocknrolla..klass film.brilliant song, really appeals to me its my thoughts into song. just bought their essential album gonna get listenin..