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.
Young Kingdoms, Yougn Kingdoms
Prepare the crimson war
Young Kingdoms, Young Kingdoms
Command the righteous law
The fall of melnibone
Imrryr towest in the quiet night sleep
At the northeast part of the turquoise Boiling Sea
Cold wind scream over finest gargoyles high
carrying sings in the dawn that frightens sky
Golden troops may compare a rising storm
and the entire will is on tarkan, Dyvim's core,
Purple towns are attacking from the shore
outer walls and the labyrinth unknown
[CHORUS:]
Young Kingdoms, Yougn Kingdoms
Prepare the crimson war
Young Kingdoms, Young Kingdoms
Command the righteous law
Dragon Isle, oh! Dragon Isle
Sadness dims your witching eye
fancy dream of Xiombarg
Mighty falls in raging hush
Elric guides all the seamen from the bridge
From his leader ship and the laughin' of a bitch
Arches shoot from the topwalls in the crew,
killing men with the anguish of the loot
Tarkan falls as the stumbles on the edge
Just to find the hell dying of his broken neck
Imrryr burns and sorrow has no end
Fury grows as the princess is just dead
[CHORUS]
Stormbringer, demon grabber with runes
Stormbringer, blackest blade with looms
Stormbringer, feed with mourning souls
Your wicked evil, sounding tunes
Mighty runes, melnibone
can you hear the pray for your burning death?
Pearly halls, your magic sight
Are the crushed of lay on your bloody earth?
Dready shores, Melnibone
can you bear the threat of that flaming flags?
Dragon Isle, your sturdy chime
all is lost right now (and prince Yykoon lurks)
Arioch! can you feel my pain
from yor throne of holy lord?
Am i crying in vain despair
My fate weaved by this broadsword?
I cannot see life or light
In her semblance or her eye
must i be forever lone?
beloved Cymoril is gone?
Have you really found the death
by the evil on my hand?
[CHORUS]
Prepare the crimson war
Young Kingdoms, Young Kingdoms
Command the righteous law
The fall of melnibone
Imrryr towest in the quiet night sleep
At the northeast part of the turquoise Boiling Sea
Cold wind scream over finest gargoyles high
carrying sings in the dawn that frightens sky
Golden troops may compare a rising storm
and the entire will is on tarkan, Dyvim's core,
Purple towns are attacking from the shore
outer walls and the labyrinth unknown
[CHORUS:]
Young Kingdoms, Yougn Kingdoms
Prepare the crimson war
Young Kingdoms, Young Kingdoms
Command the righteous law
Dragon Isle, oh! Dragon Isle
Sadness dims your witching eye
fancy dream of Xiombarg
Mighty falls in raging hush
Elric guides all the seamen from the bridge
From his leader ship and the laughin' of a bitch
Arches shoot from the topwalls in the crew,
killing men with the anguish of the loot
Tarkan falls as the stumbles on the edge
Just to find the hell dying of his broken neck
Imrryr burns and sorrow has no end
Fury grows as the princess is just dead
[CHORUS]
Stormbringer, demon grabber with runes
Stormbringer, blackest blade with looms
Stormbringer, feed with mourning souls
Your wicked evil, sounding tunes
Mighty runes, melnibone
can you hear the pray for your burning death?
Pearly halls, your magic sight
Are the crushed of lay on your bloody earth?
Dready shores, Melnibone
can you bear the threat of that flaming flags?
Dragon Isle, your sturdy chime
all is lost right now (and prince Yykoon lurks)
Arioch! can you feel my pain
from yor throne of holy lord?
Am i crying in vain despair
My fate weaved by this broadsword?
I cannot see life or light
In her semblance or her eye
must i be forever lone?
beloved Cymoril is gone?
Have you really found the death
by the evil on my hand?
[CHORUS]
Lyrics submitted by Harmonical_Fatigue
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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.
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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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,
I think it's an pretty obvious tribute to Michael Moorcock's Elric of Melnibone stories.