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.
Look how the ruts cling to my footsteps
The fatal invisible tool
By which we define we fight for our approval
And fear our removal from the safety of fools
From the tidal forces of our positions
Not won not one to take for granted
Are our rebel hymns in canted
To sing in the mines for the fortunate sons?
So brothers in spirit sisters in rage,
Will we live out our lives in this concrete cage?
Another heartbeat lost another police murder
Buried in the public eyes on the back page.
Heartbeats lost in a new world order
Hobbled and bound but still walking away
I pledge allegiance to the world
Nothing more, nothing less than my humanity
I pledge allegiance to the world
Searching for vision not invisibility
I pledge allegiance to the world
Searching for vision not invisibility
I pledge allegiance to the world
Until the last lock breaks none of us are free
Until the last lock breaks none of us are free.
We fight to balance our minds
Petty powers pushing profits over our lifetimes
World leaders mortaging our lives with words
I don't need to be reminded of whom you really serve.
Brothers in spirit, sisters in rage,
Will we live out or lives in this concrete cage?
Another hearbeat another police murder
Buried in the public eyes on the back page.
Too many heartbeats lost in the new world order
While we're standing alone with our backs to the maze
I pledge allegiance to the world
Nothing more, nothing less than my humanity
I pledge allegiance to the world
Until the last lock breaks none of us are free
I pledge allegiance to the world
Until the last lock breaks none of us are free
I pledge allegiance to the world
For nothing more, nothing less
In justice in hunger united
Searching for vision united
In justice in hunger united
Law and order but for whose order?
I pledge allegiance to the world
Nothing more, nothing less than my humanity
I pledge allegiance to the world
Until the last lock breaks none of us are free
I pledge allegiance to the world
Under no nation will we ever be
I pledge allegiance to the world
For nothing more, nothing less
Than my humanity, than my humanity, than my humanity (pledge allegiance)
To our humanity, to our humanity, to our humanity (to the world)
The fatal invisible tool
By which we define we fight for our approval
And fear our removal from the safety of fools
From the tidal forces of our positions
Not won not one to take for granted
Are our rebel hymns in canted
To sing in the mines for the fortunate sons?
So brothers in spirit sisters in rage,
Will we live out our lives in this concrete cage?
Another heartbeat lost another police murder
Buried in the public eyes on the back page.
Heartbeats lost in a new world order
Hobbled and bound but still walking away
I pledge allegiance to the world
Nothing more, nothing less than my humanity
I pledge allegiance to the world
Searching for vision not invisibility
I pledge allegiance to the world
Searching for vision not invisibility
I pledge allegiance to the world
Until the last lock breaks none of us are free
Until the last lock breaks none of us are free.
We fight to balance our minds
Petty powers pushing profits over our lifetimes
World leaders mortaging our lives with words
I don't need to be reminded of whom you really serve.
Brothers in spirit, sisters in rage,
Will we live out or lives in this concrete cage?
Another hearbeat another police murder
Buried in the public eyes on the back page.
Too many heartbeats lost in the new world order
While we're standing alone with our backs to the maze
I pledge allegiance to the world
Nothing more, nothing less than my humanity
I pledge allegiance to the world
Until the last lock breaks none of us are free
I pledge allegiance to the world
Until the last lock breaks none of us are free
I pledge allegiance to the world
For nothing more, nothing less
In justice in hunger united
Searching for vision united
In justice in hunger united
Law and order but for whose order?
I pledge allegiance to the world
Nothing more, nothing less than my humanity
I pledge allegiance to the world
Until the last lock breaks none of us are free
I pledge allegiance to the world
Under no nation will we ever be
I pledge allegiance to the world
For nothing more, nothing less
Than my humanity, than my humanity, than my humanity (pledge allegiance)
To our humanity, to our humanity, to our humanity (to the world)
Lyrics submitted by x_melancholy_x
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besides exit english, this song also happens to be featured on Fat Wreck's ROCK AGAINST BUSH Vol. 1. A great comp. indeed.