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.
Beautiful child
Beautiful child
You are a beautiful child
And I am a fool once more
You fell in love when I was only ten
The years disappeared
Much has gone by since then
I bite my lip, can you send me away?
You touch, I have no choice (ooh, ooh)
I have to stay (ooh)
Ooh, I had to stay
Ooh, I had to stay
Sleepless child
There is so little time
Your eyes say yes
But you don't say yes
Well I wish that you were mine
I wish that you were mine
You say it will be harder in the morning
I wait for you to say, just go
Your hands held mine so few hours
(I fell into love) But I'm not a child anymore
I'm not a child anymore
I'm tall enough to reach for the stars
I'm old enough to love you from afar
Too trusting? Yes
But then women usually are
I'm not a child anymore
I'm not a child, oh no (I'm tall enough to reach for the stars)
I will do as I'm told (I'm old enough to love you from afar)
Even if I never hold you again (too trusting? Yes, but then women usually are)
Hold you again (hold you again)
Sleepless child
There is so little time (I will do as I am told)
Your eyes say yes, but you don't say yes
(Even if I never hold you again)
I wish that you were mine (hold you again)
I wish that you were mine (even if I never hold you again)
Well I wish that you were mine (hold you again)
Well I wish that you were mine
(I'm not a child anymore)
Beautiful child
You are a beautiful child
And I am a fool once more
You fell in love when I was only ten
The years disappeared
Much has gone by since then
I bite my lip, can you send me away?
You touch, I have no choice (ooh, ooh)
I have to stay (ooh)
Ooh, I had to stay
Ooh, I had to stay
Sleepless child
There is so little time
Your eyes say yes
But you don't say yes
Well I wish that you were mine
I wish that you were mine
You say it will be harder in the morning
I wait for you to say, just go
Your hands held mine so few hours
(I fell into love) But I'm not a child anymore
I'm not a child anymore
I'm tall enough to reach for the stars
I'm old enough to love you from afar
Too trusting? Yes
But then women usually are
I'm not a child anymore
I'm not a child, oh no (I'm tall enough to reach for the stars)
I will do as I'm told (I'm old enough to love you from afar)
Even if I never hold you again (too trusting? Yes, but then women usually are)
Hold you again (hold you again)
Sleepless child
There is so little time (I will do as I am told)
Your eyes say yes, but you don't say yes
(Even if I never hold you again)
I wish that you were mine (hold you again)
I wish that you were mine (even if I never hold you again)
Well I wish that you were mine (hold you again)
Well I wish that you were mine
(I'm not a child anymore)
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