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.
the moon is blue tonight, the wind is freezing
the friver is restless, and i have stopped breathing
an upside down swordfish pierced my parachute
fireflies flicker and it makes you want to hide your eyes
i breathe out gently right before my own death
exhaling the mist of a three quarter tone breath
like a pyramid of heartbeats everything is fainting
like the windless delicacy of the air in chinese paintings
i inhale the ashes of past deaths and dust
from butterflies wings and particles of rust
my eyes become gemstones, forgetting the fears
for glittering merely, not the shedding of tears
sleep recites the psalm of the damned.
no need to watch the flame of my life in the palm of my hand
as pale as the holy ghost, speaking many languages
no one knows the secret, no enemy vanquishes
the dream will watch over it, as i lie broken
no need to remain with eyes wide open
the pulp of roots and mile of cactus eases my pains
the quick silver drippings of the trees in my veins
a mattress of moss, candles in my branches
carried by the wind, buried by avalanches.
everything proceeds in slow motion under here.
no wonder. this is the sleep of one hundred years.
the friver is restless, and i have stopped breathing
an upside down swordfish pierced my parachute
fireflies flicker and it makes you want to hide your eyes
i breathe out gently right before my own death
exhaling the mist of a three quarter tone breath
like a pyramid of heartbeats everything is fainting
like the windless delicacy of the air in chinese paintings
i inhale the ashes of past deaths and dust
from butterflies wings and particles of rust
my eyes become gemstones, forgetting the fears
for glittering merely, not the shedding of tears
sleep recites the psalm of the damned.
no need to watch the flame of my life in the palm of my hand
as pale as the holy ghost, speaking many languages
no one knows the secret, no enemy vanquishes
the dream will watch over it, as i lie broken
no need to remain with eyes wide open
the pulp of roots and mile of cactus eases my pains
the quick silver drippings of the trees in my veins
a mattress of moss, candles in my branches
carried by the wind, buried by avalanches.
everything proceeds in slow motion under here.
no wonder. this is the sleep of one hundred years.
Lyrics submitted by exact
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
The second part, which is not written, contains the most evocative and striking lyrics for me.. certainly on this album, possibly in Buck's entire recorded output:
The houseboat must've traveled during the night Seemingly strange outside, the climate and scenery changed Dawn was accelerated by the sound of fighting A woman screaming and choking, it was frightening I ran on deck filled with dread as well as anger To see a woman grasping for the chain of the anchor The situation was depressing and stressful She tried to drown herself in the river but was unsuccessful I was scrambling to figure out what to do first The more she wanted to live again, her screaming grew worse I pulled up the chain with the help of a drunken tramp She was soaking, hiccuping, spitting and choking The tramp shouted orders to those standing around Telling them what they should do for the drowned The woman was broken from what she had been through I offered her clothing for her to change into