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.
May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
May you stay forever young
May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the light surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
May you stay forever young
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
And may you stay forever young
May you stay forever young
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
May you stay forever young
May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the light surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
May you stay forever young
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
And may you stay forever young
May you stay forever young
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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First according to Jakob, Bob was/is great dad.
Second, the song is a prayer and that you find eternity in truth, courage, righteousness, justice, kindness, honesty and love. Dare to be all you can be by starting right and working up to the stars from a strong foundation so that nothing impedes your progress towards that end of being all that you can be. Forever and ever.
@ebs001 exactly. This song song definitely fits in today's world. Blacks have ing whites. Teachers bullying students. Kids being mean to each other. You are judged for what you stand. " The world is a dangerous place not because of the evil but because of good people doing nothing " Albert Einstein. " We are the world. E are the children we are the ones that make a brighter day so let's start giving" US A FOR AFRICA. I believe that these quotes have to go together.
This is an AMAZING song! My dad played it for me at my 18th birthday. I don't care what people think, this song works so well in a parent child context. If it was for Dylan's son it would have been great, if not; it is still a great song and has some of the best lyrics I have ever read.
@femistique Exactly. This is an amazing message. It definitely fits in today's world. My Bio teacher singed my year book with this song:My message to you is in Bob adylans FOR EVER YOUNG."
seems to be more of a blessing than anything. "Forever Young" being to live a prosperous and productive life all the way through death. Each verse takes the blessing of of staying in the hands of a superior being or deity, the blessing to keep your personality an integrous one, and to have fortune come your way a little more. But always ends with "Forever Young" or at least, this was how the song originally spoke to me
I agree, Italian Phaethon. Lines like "May you always know the truth and see the lights surrounding you" - I think he's talking about the energy body, the aura, that clairvoyants can see. <br /> <br /> A very spiritual song.
In fact, I'm not sure if it's "light surrounding you" or "lights surrounding you". Pretty much impossible to tell. Probably deliberate ambiguity. Having recently studied Pranic Healing, this song, and many of Dylan's, have taken on a new meaning for me.
In my opinion, this song is a beautiful way to wish a beloved person good luck in life. I mean, I actually use this song to congratulate my friends in their birthday. It's really beautiful. And, have you ever listened to the cover sung by Bruce Springsteen as a tribute to master Dylan? Man, when he says "May your song always be sung, and may you stay forever young" i feel like I'm gonna cry... Damn good song
ewww don't compare bruce springsteen to bob dylan.
@DarkLedBetter yeah....
On first listen it sounded like a prayer to me. And what a great track to listen to, soak in the lyrics before starting another day.
Am I the only one who makes the connection between a blessing for Jakob, the line "May you build a ladder to the stars" and the old testament story of Jacob's ladder?
May God's bless and keep you always(I pray God never lets you change your good morally awesome self) May your wishes all come true May you always do for others(Obey the Lord by being kind) And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars(Make it to Heaven by being a good person on earth) And climb on every rung
May you stay Forever young(After death, I pray you stay at your happiest, youngest place in your life that you loved the most)
Forever young Forever young May you stay Forever young
May you grow up to be righteous May you grow up to be true May you always know the truth And see the lights surrounding you(See the positive and not the negative in stuff)
May you always be courageous Stand upright and be strong(Keep being a voice of your own beliefs and back em up) And may you stay Forever young
Forever young Forever young May you stay Forever young
May your hands always be busy May your feet always be swift May you have a strong foundation When the winds of changes shift(Things change, but hope you don't let them soften you, depress you, hopes your going to weather life and still be all that you are.)
May your heart always be joyful May your song always be sung And may you stay Forever young
Forever young Forever young May you stay Forever young
i dont think this song is for his son.....they never did have the best relationship...still dont, actually. i think it's really just a song for any child, written from a parental or caring point of view...but, thats just a guess
i think this song means that you should try to live a good life and achieve what you can and not grow up too fast
people don't tell me its not for his son i always liked to think it was a beautiful peace offering from Bob to Jacob don't mess that up for me! I don't care if i may be wrong i'm in denial.