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.
Somewhere, he lost it in a turn
Now trouble seems to fit him like a glove
First come, first served, he's serving it back
He travels light, without a pack, without love
He comes from nowhere and he turns on his own
Late for the hanging, yes he's headed for the moon
And hang 'em high
Leather cross his thighs
Blasting out the night, his cap hides his eyes
One eye on the road, price upon his head
One ear to the ground, he's listening to the dead
He comes from nowhere and he turns on his own
Late for the hanging, yes he's headed for the moon
And hang 'em high
Blind to himself, and he's laughing up his scheme
Looking back in anger, the city is relieved
Vision of light, child of the night passing by
Blind to himself, he's laughing up his scheme
Looking back in anger, the city is relieved
A vision of light, child of the night passing by
Leather cross his thigh
Blasting out the night, his cap hides his eyes
One eye on the road, price upon his head
One ear to the ground, he's listening to the dead
He comes from nowhere, and he turns on his own
Late for the hanging, yes he's headed for the moon
And hang 'em high
Now trouble seems to fit him like a glove
First come, first served, he's serving it back
He travels light, without a pack, without love
He comes from nowhere and he turns on his own
Late for the hanging, yes he's headed for the moon
And hang 'em high
Leather cross his thighs
Blasting out the night, his cap hides his eyes
One eye on the road, price upon his head
One ear to the ground, he's listening to the dead
He comes from nowhere and he turns on his own
Late for the hanging, yes he's headed for the moon
And hang 'em high
Blind to himself, and he's laughing up his scheme
Looking back in anger, the city is relieved
Vision of light, child of the night passing by
Blind to himself, he's laughing up his scheme
Looking back in anger, the city is relieved
A vision of light, child of the night passing by
Leather cross his thigh
Blasting out the night, his cap hides his eyes
One eye on the road, price upon his head
One ear to the ground, he's listening to the dead
He comes from nowhere, and he turns on his own
Late for the hanging, yes he's headed for the moon
And hang 'em high
Lyrics submitted by UseYourIllusion, edited by Scott_T
Hang 'Em High Lyrics as written by Edward Van Halen Alex Van Halen
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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Hang 'em high is actually Hang Him High, a double meaning as in kill him (like a hanging) or worshio him, like a god, hung on high, so 2 speak. The song like black sabbath's Master of Realiy "Lord of this world" evil possesor, is what the song is about. "Somewhere lost in time", not a turn- "first come first served" - reference to Garden of Eden's Covering Cherub (Ezekiel chapter 28) Becoming mankind's new god. "Serving it back" - disloyal to the Maker
Somewhere,lost it in Time (from before mankind) Trouble seems to fit him like a glove.(likes evil) First come,First served,he's serving it back, (see above, "first" god in eden) Travels light,without a pack,without love.(without a "pact" not "pack" actually- anti-love) He comes from nowhere,returns on his own, (actaully "turns on his own" - meaning a betrayer) late for the hanging,yes he's heading for the moon (is still alive, though should be dead, and is under a "wanted" poster, which Michael - also an Angel- collects bounty on- rev. 12, heading for the moon? going for the one throne, in insanity) Hang
em High.("Hang him high") Leather,across his thighs, (Rides through the earth- black horse- revelation again) Blasting out the night,he's terrified to drive.(actaully terrified of light- the darkness) One eye on the road, crashed upon his head, (actaully- price upon his head- divine bounty hunter collects, the road 2 nowhere) One ear to the ground,he's listening to the dead.(directs mankind through dead governments and war machines) He comes from nowhere,returns on his own, late for the hanging,yes he's heading for the moon Hangem High. Alone to himself,he's laughing up his sleeve, (selfish personified, laughing at the misery of his tricks) Looking back in anger,the city is rleaved. (remorseless being, but his exit is a relief) Vision of Light, (Lucifer, etc.) Child of the night, (Anti-Life) Passing by (He knows he is temporary)This was a fifth album ode to the devil, not unlike album 1, "runnin' with the Devil" Van Halen was always clear on where their kingship (guitar, music) came from... Judas Priest was similar Tyrant is about a god Starbreaker Exciter Sinner all about the same being
Dude... <br /> This is coming from the guy who can't even remember his own lyrics on stage. <br /> I find it hard to believe that the same Roth that says "Etch-a-sketch" instead of "catch as catch" would be focused enough to write a song riddled with satanic messages.