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.
Back in the day when man he paved the way
Fell in temptation, sin spread through the nation
Lead me salvation, and pierce the palms of holy hands
Who is the son of man? take me to the promised land
Where I and I free, Jah set my mind at ease
I stay cool in the shade even at 96º?
You must believe and plant this seed of wisdom
Stick to the track and don't be trapped by Babylon
[Chorus]
Set your eyes to Zion
Jah Jah people ride on
Forgive them Lord, for they not know
That what they do, people blame it on you
Can't understand why dem so mad
Dem heart get cold, empty with no soul
I've begun to search of One
Giver of life, I and I recognize
To be with you, forever I'll be with you
In paradise, Zion I set my eyes
[Chorus]
Tell me Mr. Deadman?
Do you have the answer?
How do you get to Heaven?
Do you have the answer?
Hey Mr. Deadman
I'll tell you if you want to know,
How you can get to Heaven?
Believe in I Jah Jah son
[Chorus]
Fell in temptation, sin spread through the nation
Lead me salvation, and pierce the palms of holy hands
Who is the son of man? take me to the promised land
Where I and I free, Jah set my mind at ease
I stay cool in the shade even at 96º?
You must believe and plant this seed of wisdom
Stick to the track and don't be trapped by Babylon
[Chorus]
Set your eyes to Zion
Jah Jah people ride on
Forgive them Lord, for they not know
That what they do, people blame it on you
Can't understand why dem so mad
Dem heart get cold, empty with no soul
I've begun to search of One
Giver of life, I and I recognize
To be with you, forever I'll be with you
In paradise, Zion I set my eyes
[Chorus]
Tell me Mr. Deadman?
Do you have the answer?
How do you get to Heaven?
Do you have the answer?
Hey Mr. Deadman
I'll tell you if you want to know,
How you can get to Heaven?
Believe in I Jah Jah son
[Chorus]
Lyrics submitted by HoldURBreath
Set Your Eyes to Zion Lyrics as written by Mark Daniels Marcos Curiel
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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HOW DUMB OR SARCASTIC CAN PEOPLE BE...EVERYONE WHO KNOWS P.O.D. KNOWS THAT THEY ARE NOT RASTAFARIAN...YEAH, SONNY SANDOVAL HAD DREADS, THERE IS MUCH MORE THEN RASTA WHEN YOU SEE DREADS ON A CHILD OF GOD.TRY READING THE OLD TESTAMENT...AND NO...NOTHING TO DO WITH RASTAFARTAN FAITH...HOW DUMB CAN YOU BE...SONNY BELEIVES CHRIST DIED FOR HIM ON A CROSS FOR ALL HIS SINS...FOR YOU AND ME AND HIM...ALL OF US....NO SLASIE.....THE ZION HE SPEAKS OF IS NOT A MOUNTAIN ON ETHIOPIA, FOR WHERE WE LIVE IS NOT WHERE GOD'S KINGDOM REIGNS SUPREME..THE ZION HE SPEAKS OF IS A METAPHORICAL ONE...AND VERY REAL, AND ONLY RESERVED AND MADE FOR THE ONES WHO ACCEPTED GOD IN THERE HEARTS AND ULTIMATLY DIED FOR IT...THIS ZION EXSIST LONG AFTER THE WORLD WHERE WE LIVE IN TODAY HAS PASSED AWAY, YAY...ALL EVIL AND SIN HAS PASSED AWAY...AND OUR GOD, KING, AND SAVIOR WILL REIGN SUPREME IN THIS NEW ZION AND NEW EARTH..........................KNOW THE WORD...LIVE IT...LOVE IT.......