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.
He came down out of Jerusalem, on a stallion he did ride
A Pilgrim-Knight from the British Isles come to stem the Moslem tide
He found himself assigned with a noble quest to find the wooden cross and bring it back into Christian hands no matter what the cost
And he thought of good King Arthur as he lay in Avalon Of Lancelot, and Galahad and the glory that they’ve won
And he remembered all his comrades who were lost in the Crusades and as he came down out of a mountain pass
He thought he heard them say
We’ll live again. We’ll live again.
We'll live again. We'll live again.
(Spoken)
So he went to where the River Jordan flows into the Dead Sea and moved South along the shoreline. Until he came to the great catacombs where legend said the cross had been hidden. But before going into the hills to begin his search, he looked back the way he had come.
And riding up swiftly through the salty waves was a band of Sera sin soldiers. Though he knew he was greatly outnumbered and they were intent upon his death. Honor dictated that he stand and fight.
As he turned to face his enemies, he thought of his sweet wife.
And how he brought her sadness when he chose the soldier’s life.
And in his mind he traced the lines of her face, and he brushed the tears away.
He knew she had the strength to live and love another day.
And he wondered of these Holy Wars. Were they wrong or were they right.
Must religions write their histories through military might.
And as he thought about his children, his lips formed a battle cry.
And as he drew his sword out, he saw his future in their eyes.
I’ll live again. I’ll live again.
I’ll live again. I’ll live again.
I’ll live again. I’ll live again.
I’ll live again. I’ll live again.
I’ll live again...
A Pilgrim-Knight from the British Isles come to stem the Moslem tide
He found himself assigned with a noble quest to find the wooden cross and bring it back into Christian hands no matter what the cost
And he thought of good King Arthur as he lay in Avalon Of Lancelot, and Galahad and the glory that they’ve won
And he remembered all his comrades who were lost in the Crusades and as he came down out of a mountain pass
He thought he heard them say
We’ll live again. We’ll live again.
We'll live again. We'll live again.
(Spoken)
So he went to where the River Jordan flows into the Dead Sea and moved South along the shoreline. Until he came to the great catacombs where legend said the cross had been hidden. But before going into the hills to begin his search, he looked back the way he had come.
And riding up swiftly through the salty waves was a band of Sera sin soldiers. Though he knew he was greatly outnumbered and they were intent upon his death. Honor dictated that he stand and fight.
As he turned to face his enemies, he thought of his sweet wife.
And how he brought her sadness when he chose the soldier’s life.
And in his mind he traced the lines of her face, and he brushed the tears away.
He knew she had the strength to live and love another day.
And he wondered of these Holy Wars. Were they wrong or were they right.
Must religions write their histories through military might.
And as he thought about his children, his lips formed a battle cry.
And as he drew his sword out, he saw his future in their eyes.
I’ll live again. I’ll live again.
I’ll live again. I’ll live again.
I’ll live again. I’ll live again.
I’ll live again. I’ll live again.
I’ll live again...
Lyrics submitted by mrclean
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