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.
When last I was a fisherman
I'd watch the storms rise up from the sea
And see it as a sign to me
That the sea was still my mistress
And teasing me for love
When last I was a fisherman
I'd watch the whale-fish blow
And rise up from the darkest deep real slow
And see it as a sign to me
That she was still my mistress
And teasing me for love
I never knew why she loved me
I never tried for her favour
I wouldn't have known how
I wouldn't have known how
And I didn't have the know-how
To heel and toe her, heel and toe her
I only knew that she was my mistress
And teasing me for love
When last I was a fisherman
I lay along the sea wall
My body pressed against
The blue of her occupation elsewhere
She was busy with the other boats
But I knew she'd turn her belly back to me
When she was free
When last I was a fisherman
I'd stand against the sea
My skiff adrift in ecstasy
The mast a-singing, the salt a-stinging
I'd see it as a sign to me
That she was still my mistress
And just teasing me for love
I never knew why she loved me...
When last I was a fisherman
I lay awake one night
Her cooing and raving nearby
And I waited in youthful eagerness
For the dawn's first hint of light
For my mistress to come
For she to come to me
I knew she was coming
I could feel her coming
And I waited and I waited
And I waited and I waited...
'Til I raised my voice unto the night
And only heard a baby's cry
I never knew why she loved me...
I'd watch the storms rise up from the sea
And see it as a sign to me
That the sea was still my mistress
And teasing me for love
When last I was a fisherman
I'd watch the whale-fish blow
And rise up from the darkest deep real slow
And see it as a sign to me
That she was still my mistress
And teasing me for love
I never knew why she loved me
I never tried for her favour
I wouldn't have known how
I wouldn't have known how
And I didn't have the know-how
To heel and toe her, heel and toe her
I only knew that she was my mistress
And teasing me for love
When last I was a fisherman
I lay along the sea wall
My body pressed against
The blue of her occupation elsewhere
She was busy with the other boats
But I knew she'd turn her belly back to me
When she was free
When last I was a fisherman
I'd stand against the sea
My skiff adrift in ecstasy
The mast a-singing, the salt a-stinging
I'd see it as a sign to me
That she was still my mistress
And just teasing me for love
I never knew why she loved me...
When last I was a fisherman
I lay awake one night
Her cooing and raving nearby
And I waited in youthful eagerness
For the dawn's first hint of light
For my mistress to come
For she to come to me
I knew she was coming
I could feel her coming
And I waited and I waited
And I waited and I waited...
'Til I raised my voice unto the night
And only heard a baby's cry
I never knew why she loved me...
Lyrics submitted by iconnu
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