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.
woke up at eight, started a fire
had a few drinks, we all felt inspired
jumped in the stream, our shoes and canteens
the water is bitter cold
laid in the raft till it started moving
the current just sang, the song was so soothing
we stopped along the way
on a beach in the sun on a beautiful day
our boats collide, we feel the breeze
we stay afloat and make the most of everything
by noon we had swung the ropes in the woods
missed all dangers, snakes and the floods
burned by the rays and next to our legs, the water so bitter cold
lunch had been saved along with the lighters
wet cigarettes serve us as reminders
never trust a man with food, change of clothes, and a drink in his hand
our boats collide, we feel the breeze
we stay afloat and make the most of everything
the sun will set, the stars would shine
the trees would shake, we'd all feel fine
let's take the moon and make it shine for everyone
we'd laugh away the sunburn
as we laughed away his day
what we lost means nothing
for the memories will stay
caught the last bus, with no time to linger
driver seemed to be missing a finger
I turned and looked away to the bus, gravel road and a beautiful day
our boats collide, we feel the breeze
we stay afloat and make the most of everything
the sun will set, the stars would shine
the trees would shake, we'd all feel fine
let's take the moon and make it shine for everyone
let's take the moon and make it shine for everyone
had a few drinks, we all felt inspired
jumped in the stream, our shoes and canteens
the water is bitter cold
laid in the raft till it started moving
the current just sang, the song was so soothing
we stopped along the way
on a beach in the sun on a beautiful day
our boats collide, we feel the breeze
we stay afloat and make the most of everything
by noon we had swung the ropes in the woods
missed all dangers, snakes and the floods
burned by the rays and next to our legs, the water so bitter cold
lunch had been saved along with the lighters
wet cigarettes serve us as reminders
never trust a man with food, change of clothes, and a drink in his hand
our boats collide, we feel the breeze
we stay afloat and make the most of everything
the sun will set, the stars would shine
the trees would shake, we'd all feel fine
let's take the moon and make it shine for everyone
we'd laugh away the sunburn
as we laughed away his day
what we lost means nothing
for the memories will stay
caught the last bus, with no time to linger
driver seemed to be missing a finger
I turned and looked away to the bus, gravel road and a beautiful day
our boats collide, we feel the breeze
we stay afloat and make the most of everything
the sun will set, the stars would shine
the trees would shake, we'd all feel fine
let's take the moon and make it shine for everyone
let's take the moon and make it shine for everyone
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