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.
A billion words ago
The sailors disappeared
A story for the children
To rock them back to sleep
A million burning books
Like torches in our hands
A fabric of ideals
To decorate our homes
A thousand generations
The soil on which we walk
A mountain of mistakes
For us to climb for pleasure
A hundred clocks are ticking
The line becomes a circle
Spin the wheel of fortune
Or learn to navigate
A choir full of longing
Will call our ships to port
The countless lonely voices
Like whispers in the dark
A choir full of longing
Will call our ships to port
The countless lonely voices
Like whispers in the dark
A second of reflection can
Take you to the moon
The slightest hesitation can
Bring you down in flames
A single spark of passion
Can change a man forever
A moment in a lifetime
Is all it takes to break him
A fraction of a heartbeat
Made us what we are
A brother and a sister
For better or for worse
A billion words ago
They sang a song of leaving
An echo from the chorus
Will call them back again
A choir full of longing
Will call our ships to port
The countless lonely voices
Like whispers in the dark
A choir full of longing
Will call our ships to port
The countless lonely voices
Like whispers in the dark
Tonight we light the fires
We call our ships to port
Tonight we walk on water
And tomorrow we'll be gone
Tonight we light the fires
We call our ships to port
Tonight we walk on water
And tomorrow we'll be gone
Tonight we light the fires
We call our ships to port
Tonight we walk on water
And tomorrow we'll be gone
Tonight
Tonight
The sailors disappeared
A story for the children
To rock them back to sleep
A million burning books
Like torches in our hands
A fabric of ideals
To decorate our homes
A thousand generations
The soil on which we walk
A mountain of mistakes
For us to climb for pleasure
A hundred clocks are ticking
The line becomes a circle
Spin the wheel of fortune
Or learn to navigate
A choir full of longing
Will call our ships to port
The countless lonely voices
Like whispers in the dark
A choir full of longing
Will call our ships to port
The countless lonely voices
Like whispers in the dark
A second of reflection can
Take you to the moon
The slightest hesitation can
Bring you down in flames
A single spark of passion
Can change a man forever
A moment in a lifetime
Is all it takes to break him
A fraction of a heartbeat
Made us what we are
A brother and a sister
For better or for worse
A billion words ago
They sang a song of leaving
An echo from the chorus
Will call them back again
A choir full of longing
Will call our ships to port
The countless lonely voices
Like whispers in the dark
A choir full of longing
Will call our ships to port
The countless lonely voices
Like whispers in the dark
Tonight we light the fires
We call our ships to port
Tonight we walk on water
And tomorrow we'll be gone
Tonight we light the fires
We call our ships to port
Tonight we walk on water
And tomorrow we'll be gone
Tonight we light the fires
We call our ships to port
Tonight we walk on water
And tomorrow we'll be gone
Tonight
Tonight
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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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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
American Town
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
The sailors: A metaphor for the daring, brave individuals...like the ones that would venture out to sea before the earth was known to be round. They have gone...in light of logic and science, there are no dreamers anywhere but in the stories. I think that's exactly what the line "The line becomes a circle" means. The flat earth became round thanks to discovery. But one of Covenant resounding themes is seeming to inspire...to ask the question of "Where are the ones that will stand up and make a difference?" I think the same theme is present in "Brave New World". I could be wrong, but that's my take.
This song is about our society. Our society is lost at sea, going round in circles and making mountains of mistakes. As in the book burning that preceded world war 2. There is a big storm coming, in other words trouble and it is time for us to "Whisper in the dark". Which means that Goths call the ships back to the safety of the port. It has other layers of meaning as well. ( This resonates with me as I live overlooking a harbour and have been at sea in storms many a time )<br /> <br /> Another big theme is how easy it is to dash a person's hopes and how small little things can have such a big impact on our lives. Like a ship foundering on a small rock. We are more fragile than we like to believe and need a safe haven.