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.
Well we pounded the pavement between
Dotted lines
But we always belonged to the
Fugitive kind
We were never the best but we were
Better than this
To be made to bow down among princes
I got thrown around hallways and
Bedrooms and towns
And you run from that voice and
It drags you around
It don't matter the ruse or the
Weapons we choose
There is only one thing that can free us
Oh so here I am
The lion and the lamb
I was born to be telling this story
I could only be telling this story
I will always be telling this story
Well our father married our
Mother too young
And he took on a world like a
Fortunate son
But in the cellar downstairs waiting
For the bomb scare
He would hide from us under the kitchen
Where she simmered so soft with
Her weapons of tin
And like so many suppers she just
Gave us to him
And he never did guess in her cast
Iron dress
She was burning beyond recognition
Oh it's not over yet
I can't forget
I am going to be telling this story
I was born to be telling this story
I will always be telling this story
Sometimes I feel so reckless and wild
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
I gave nobody life, I am nobody's wife
And I seem to be nobody's daughter
So red is the color that I like the best
It's your Indian skin and the badge
On my chest
The heat of my pride
The lips of a bride
The sad heart of the truth
And the flag of youth
And blood that is thicker than water
I was made to be telling this story
I was born to be telling this story
I am going to be telling this story
I could only be telling this story
I will always be telling this story
Dotted lines
But we always belonged to the
Fugitive kind
We were never the best but we were
Better than this
To be made to bow down among princes
I got thrown around hallways and
Bedrooms and towns
And you run from that voice and
It drags you around
It don't matter the ruse or the
Weapons we choose
There is only one thing that can free us
Oh so here I am
The lion and the lamb
I was born to be telling this story
I could only be telling this story
I will always be telling this story
Well our father married our
Mother too young
And he took on a world like a
Fortunate son
But in the cellar downstairs waiting
For the bomb scare
He would hide from us under the kitchen
Where she simmered so soft with
Her weapons of tin
And like so many suppers she just
Gave us to him
And he never did guess in her cast
Iron dress
She was burning beyond recognition
Oh it's not over yet
I can't forget
I am going to be telling this story
I was born to be telling this story
I will always be telling this story
Sometimes I feel so reckless and wild
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
I gave nobody life, I am nobody's wife
And I seem to be nobody's daughter
So red is the color that I like the best
It's your Indian skin and the badge
On my chest
The heat of my pride
The lips of a bride
The sad heart of the truth
And the flag of youth
And blood that is thicker than water
I was made to be telling this story
I was born to be telling this story
I am going to be telling this story
I could only be telling this story
I will always be telling this story
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the story... is the story of a family. I think if you grew up in a family like this you know exactly what this means. If you don't get this song... count your blessings!