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.
breaking hearts in Halifax county
the three fine daughters
of farmer brown
turning heads of the boys
in the schoolyard
catching whistles from
the men downtown
no one knows why they went rowin'
the three fine daughters
of farmer brown
they didn't know that
the rocks on the river
be the three sisters island
where they'd all drown
widower brown had a girl named nellie
she was the oldest
the toughest of three
she would her daddy's well
sharpened sickle and carve "kill men"
in the sycamore tree
the men come-a-clurtin'
but she'd keep her distance
never cracked a smile just played it coy
some say she's as tender as a petal
she'd act tough
'cuz her daddy wanted a boy
old man brown had a girl named dottie
the middle button
and the most vane of the three
she'd take her daddy's
fat leather boot strap
and whip anyone
who'd call her dorothy
the men would fawn her
and she would repay them
and peck 'em where they'd
find it safe to kiss
like the barn or the porch
or the upstairs parlor
anywhere that'd keep 'em
from her father's fist
CHORUS
farmer brown had a girl named becca
she was the youngest
and most reverent of all
she would take her daddy's
king james bible
and go study scripture
at the brethren hall
the men would avoid her
'cuz she would condemn them
for cussin' and drikin'
and chasin' the browns
she'd say "repent and join god forever
the pleasure of sin's
not as good as it sounds."
one day the three
with nothing in common
spied upon an abandoned row boat
maybe their sense of adventure had
pushed the three young girls
to set the ship afloat
they didn't know
the strength of the river
the merciless current
that pulled them down
maybe it was the due to the
weight of their denim
but the three girls bodies
were never found
some may recall
the singing of the sirens
lured in the sailors
who'd wreck and drown
some say they still hear the fightin' and
the flirtin' and the preachin'
of the daughters of farmer brown
CHORUS
the three fine daughters
of farmer brown
turning heads of the boys
in the schoolyard
catching whistles from
the men downtown
no one knows why they went rowin'
the three fine daughters
of farmer brown
they didn't know that
the rocks on the river
be the three sisters island
where they'd all drown
widower brown had a girl named nellie
she was the oldest
the toughest of three
she would her daddy's well
sharpened sickle and carve "kill men"
in the sycamore tree
the men come-a-clurtin'
but she'd keep her distance
never cracked a smile just played it coy
some say she's as tender as a petal
she'd act tough
'cuz her daddy wanted a boy
old man brown had a girl named dottie
the middle button
and the most vane of the three
she'd take her daddy's
fat leather boot strap
and whip anyone
who'd call her dorothy
the men would fawn her
and she would repay them
and peck 'em where they'd
find it safe to kiss
like the barn or the porch
or the upstairs parlor
anywhere that'd keep 'em
from her father's fist
CHORUS
farmer brown had a girl named becca
she was the youngest
and most reverent of all
she would take her daddy's
king james bible
and go study scripture
at the brethren hall
the men would avoid her
'cuz she would condemn them
for cussin' and drikin'
and chasin' the browns
she'd say "repent and join god forever
the pleasure of sin's
not as good as it sounds."
one day the three
with nothing in common
spied upon an abandoned row boat
maybe their sense of adventure had
pushed the three young girls
to set the ship afloat
they didn't know
the strength of the river
the merciless current
that pulled them down
maybe it was the due to the
weight of their denim
but the three girls bodies
were never found
some may recall
the singing of the sirens
lured in the sailors
who'd wreck and drown
some say they still hear the fightin' and
the flirtin' and the preachin'
of the daughters of farmer brown
CHORUS
Lyrics submitted by ruben
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
My interpretation is that the three girls were each unhappy with their father, so they faked their own deaths to escape him. Nellie wanted to not have to act so tough all the time, Dottie wanted to kiss people without her father beating her, and Becca... well, I'm not so sure about her, but "the pleasure of sin's not as good as it sounds" might refer to sexual abuse.
Whatever the details, the narrator is wrong to say that the three girls have nothing in common. What they have in common is that their father is ruining their lives and they need to get away. So, they hatch a scheme: they'll be seen climbing into the rowboat, and then they'll secretly get out of the rowboat and set it adrift on the "merciless" river. When the wrecked rowboat is later discovered, everyone will assume that the sisters have drowned, and that the bodies are missing because their heavy clothing made them sink to the bottom of the river. In fact, the reason why the "bodies were never found" is that there aren't any bodies. They're not dead. They're free!
So I disagree with the previous commenter who said it's a said song. I think it's a song about empowerment, about taking control of your own destiny, and I think the lyrics are well-suited to the strong, triumphant melody.