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.
You're on a wide open ocean
No one around you for miles
You're thinkin' of drinkin' on water
While you're sailing the Nile
No one to stop you on your way
Flyin' by goes a stork
You decide to bring your oars in now
But accidentally knock out the cork
Row your boat to shore
'Cause it is leaking and you're still drinking
Unless you cork the hole
You won't be sailing, you'll be sinking
And not knowin' your sinkin'
You take out a bottle of rum, yum
Swiggin' a drink to the bottom
The label reads 'Van Monchinghum'
Oars back into the water
You think you'll sail on
But you can't, 'cause your boat contains
Three and a half gallons
Row your boat to shore
'Cause it is leaking and you're still drinking
Unless you cork the hole
You won't be sailing, you'll be sinking
Row your boat to shore
'Cause it is leaking and you're still drinking
Unless you cork the hole
You won't be sailing, you'll be sinking
Row, row, row your boat
And sail your ship to shore
You're barely, barely, barely keeping afloat
Well, I hope that you don't drink no more
Row your boat to shore
It is leaking, you're still drinking
Unless you cork the hole
You won't be sailing, you'll be sinking
Row, row, row your boat
And sail your ship to shore
You're barely, barely, barely keeping afloat
Well, I hope that you don't drink no more
Row, row, row your boat
And sail your ship to shore
You're barely, barely, barely keeping afloat
Well, I hope that you don't drink no more
Row, row, row your boat
Sail your ship to shore
You're barely, barely, barely keeping afloat
I hope that you won't drink no more
No one around you for miles
You're thinkin' of drinkin' on water
While you're sailing the Nile
No one to stop you on your way
Flyin' by goes a stork
You decide to bring your oars in now
But accidentally knock out the cork
Row your boat to shore
'Cause it is leaking and you're still drinking
Unless you cork the hole
You won't be sailing, you'll be sinking
And not knowin' your sinkin'
You take out a bottle of rum, yum
Swiggin' a drink to the bottom
The label reads 'Van Monchinghum'
Oars back into the water
You think you'll sail on
But you can't, 'cause your boat contains
Three and a half gallons
Row your boat to shore
'Cause it is leaking and you're still drinking
Unless you cork the hole
You won't be sailing, you'll be sinking
Row your boat to shore
'Cause it is leaking and you're still drinking
Unless you cork the hole
You won't be sailing, you'll be sinking
Row, row, row your boat
And sail your ship to shore
You're barely, barely, barely keeping afloat
Well, I hope that you don't drink no more
Row your boat to shore
It is leaking, you're still drinking
Unless you cork the hole
You won't be sailing, you'll be sinking
Row, row, row your boat
And sail your ship to shore
You're barely, barely, barely keeping afloat
Well, I hope that you don't drink no more
Row, row, row your boat
And sail your ship to shore
You're barely, barely, barely keeping afloat
Well, I hope that you don't drink no more
Row, row, row your boat
Sail your ship to shore
You're barely, barely, barely keeping afloat
I hope that you won't drink no more
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Great version of a great song,
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