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.
Getcha mining soul deep - with a lesson in history
There's people fighting for their communities
Don't say this struggle - does not involve you
If you're from the working class this is your struggle too
If they spent more on life as they do on death
We might find the money to make industry progress
There's mud in the waters - there's lies upon the page
There's blood on the hillsides and they're not getting paid
There's brother 'gainst brother - there's fathers against sons
But as for solidarity, I don't see none
(Let's change that - let's fight back)
Going on 10 months now - will it take another 10
Living on the breadline - with what some people send
Just where is the backing from the TUC
If we aren't united there can only be defeat
Think of all those brave men - women and children alike
Who built the unions so others might survive
In better conditions - than abject misery
Not supporting the miners - betrays that legacy
There's brother 'gainst brother - there's fathers against sons
Let's change that - let's fight back!
Up north the temperature's rising
Down south she's wine and dining
We can't afford to let the government win
It means death to the trade unions
And the cash it costs to close 'em
Is better spent trying to keep 'em open
Try to feel the pain in those seeds planted
Now are the things that we take for granted
Like the power to strike if we don't agree
With the bosses that make those policies
That keep us down and keep us dumb
So don't settle for less than the No. one!
There's people fighting for their communities
Don't say this struggle - does not involve you
If you're from the working class this is your struggle too
If they spent more on life as they do on death
We might find the money to make industry progress
There's mud in the waters - there's lies upon the page
There's blood on the hillsides and they're not getting paid
There's brother 'gainst brother - there's fathers against sons
But as for solidarity, I don't see none
(Let's change that - let's fight back)
Going on 10 months now - will it take another 10
Living on the breadline - with what some people send
Just where is the backing from the TUC
If we aren't united there can only be defeat
Think of all those brave men - women and children alike
Who built the unions so others might survive
In better conditions - than abject misery
Not supporting the miners - betrays that legacy
There's brother 'gainst brother - there's fathers against sons
Let's change that - let's fight back!
Up north the temperature's rising
Down south she's wine and dining
We can't afford to let the government win
It means death to the trade unions
And the cash it costs to close 'em
Is better spent trying to keep 'em open
Try to feel the pain in those seeds planted
Now are the things that we take for granted
Like the power to strike if we don't agree
With the bosses that make those policies
That keep us down and keep us dumb
So don't settle for less than the No. one!
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
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Page
Ed Sheeran
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