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.
In a world polluted inside
Let's pretend the nightmare is done
From the earth the magma will rise
From the sea comes cancerous tides
From the meaning of life ends in prophecy
Premonitions bring tragedy
Is the hope for humanity
Molten fire flies through the sky
Burnin' high eclipse of the sun
Blackened skies rites of the night
The days in darkness in two thousand twelve
Mother Earth's been withered in time
Already dead and we didn't even know it
Watch the stars to give us a sign
From above all the angels descend
The meanin' of life ends in agony
Raped by impurities
Not a chance for humanity
Molten fire flies through the sky
Burnin' high eclipse of the sun
Blackened skies rites of the night
The days in darkness in two thousand twelve
Magma splits the earth and shifts below
Molten lava bursts and overflow
Rise as we wait, annihilate
Burnin' earth pulls to the sun
Rise as we wait, obliterate
Burnin' earth pulls to the sun
Three days of darkness in two thousand twelve
Mega cities still blaze in the night
Burnin' the ashes they choke
From the earth the magma will rise
Enveloped in poisonous smoke
So the meanin' of life ends in prophecy
Premonitions of tragedy
Still no hope for humanity
Molten fire flies through the sky
Burnin' high eclipse of the sun
Blackened skies rites of the night
The days in darkness in two thousand twelve
Let's pretend the nightmare is done
From the earth the magma will rise
From the sea comes cancerous tides
From the meaning of life ends in prophecy
Premonitions bring tragedy
Is the hope for humanity
Molten fire flies through the sky
Burnin' high eclipse of the sun
Blackened skies rites of the night
The days in darkness in two thousand twelve
Mother Earth's been withered in time
Already dead and we didn't even know it
Watch the stars to give us a sign
From above all the angels descend
The meanin' of life ends in agony
Raped by impurities
Not a chance for humanity
Molten fire flies through the sky
Burnin' high eclipse of the sun
Blackened skies rites of the night
The days in darkness in two thousand twelve
Magma splits the earth and shifts below
Molten lava bursts and overflow
Rise as we wait, annihilate
Burnin' earth pulls to the sun
Rise as we wait, obliterate
Burnin' earth pulls to the sun
Three days of darkness in two thousand twelve
Mega cities still blaze in the night
Burnin' the ashes they choke
From the earth the magma will rise
Enveloped in poisonous smoke
So the meanin' of life ends in prophecy
Premonitions of tragedy
Still no hope for humanity
Molten fire flies through the sky
Burnin' high eclipse of the sun
Blackened skies rites of the night
The days in darkness in two thousand twelve
Lyrics submitted by Necro Butcher
3 Days in Darkness Lyrics as written by Del James Charles Billy
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.