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.
Lyrics
Translation
Lanquan li jorn son lonc en may
When the days are long in May
M'es belhs dous chans d'auzelhs de lonh,
I love the singing of a bird from a faraway country
Et quan mi suy partitz de lay
And when I left it and it flew away
Remembra.m d'un' amor de lonh:
It reminded me of a faraway love
Vau de talan embroncx e clis
I. ll follow my heart. s desire to places
Si que chans ni flors d'albespis
As long as singing and holly
No.m platz plus que l'yverns gelatz.
Mean more to me than winter. s frost
Be tenc lo senhor per veray
I do believe God is real
Per qu'ieu veirai l'amor de lonh ;
Through him and with his help I. ll see my faraway love again
Mas per un ben que m'en eschay
Because I. ve got to stay here against my will
N'ai dos mals, quar tant m'es de lonh.
I. m hurt twice as much seeing she. s so faraway
Ai ! car me fos lai pelegris,
Ah! Why aren. t I a pilgrim travelling
Si que mos fustz e mos tapis
And then my cape and stick
Fos pels sieus belhs huelhs remiratz !
Would be contemplated by her beautiful eyes
Be.m parra joys quan li querray,
The joy when in the name of God
Per amor Dieu, l'alberc de lonh:
I will ask for far away shelter
E, s'a lieys platz, alberguarai
But for now I don. t know when I. ll see her
Pres de lieys, si be.m suy de lonh:
If God will I. ll stay close to her I who is so far away
Adoncs parra.l parlamens fis
What lovely conversations one will hear
Quan drutz lonhdas er tan vezis
And the faraway lovers will be finally close
Qu'ab bels digz jauzira solatz.
And what beautiful words will be exchanged.
Translation
Lanquan li jorn son lonc en may
When the days are long in May
M'es belhs dous chans d'auzelhs de lonh,
I love the singing of a bird from a faraway country
Et quan mi suy partitz de lay
And when I left it and it flew away
Remembra.m d'un' amor de lonh:
It reminded me of a faraway love
Vau de talan embroncx e clis
I. ll follow my heart. s desire to places
Si que chans ni flors d'albespis
As long as singing and holly
No.m platz plus que l'yverns gelatz.
Mean more to me than winter. s frost
Be tenc lo senhor per veray
I do believe God is real
Per qu'ieu veirai l'amor de lonh ;
Through him and with his help I. ll see my faraway love again
Mas per un ben que m'en eschay
Because I. ve got to stay here against my will
N'ai dos mals, quar tant m'es de lonh.
I. m hurt twice as much seeing she. s so faraway
Ai ! car me fos lai pelegris,
Ah! Why aren. t I a pilgrim travelling
Si que mos fustz e mos tapis
And then my cape and stick
Fos pels sieus belhs huelhs remiratz !
Would be contemplated by her beautiful eyes
Be.m parra joys quan li querray,
The joy when in the name of God
Per amor Dieu, l'alberc de lonh:
I will ask for far away shelter
E, s'a lieys platz, alberguarai
But for now I don. t know when I. ll see her
Pres de lieys, si be.m suy de lonh:
If God will I. ll stay close to her I who is so far away
Adoncs parra.l parlamens fis
What lovely conversations one will hear
Quan drutz lonhdas er tan vezis
And the faraway lovers will be finally close
Qu'ab bels digz jauzira solatz.
And what beautiful words will be exchanged.
Lyrics submitted by Aria
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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