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.
When a man he serves the Lord, it makes his life worthwhile.
It don't matter 'bout his position, it don't matter 'bout his lifestyle.
Talk about perfection, I ain't never seen none
And there ain't no man righteous, no not one.
Sometimes the devil likes to drive you from the neighborhood.
He'll even work his ways through those whose intentions are good.
Some like to worship on the moon, others are worshipping the sun
And there ain't no man righteous, no not one.
Look around, ya see so many social hypocrites
Like to make rules for others while they do just the opposite.
You can't get to glory by the raising and the lowering of no flag.
Put your goodness next to God's and it comes out like a filthy rag.
In a city of darkness there's no need of the sun
And there ain't no man righteous, no not one.
Done so many evil things in the name of love, it's a crying shame
I never did see no fire that could put out a flame.
Pull your hat down, baby, pull the wool down over your eyes,
Keep a-talking, baby, 'til you run right out of alibis.
Someday you'll account for all the deeds that you done.
Well, there ain't no man righteous, no not one.
God got the power, man has got his vanity,
Man gotta choose before God can set him free.
Don't you know there's nothing new that's under the sun?
Well, there ain't no man righteous, no not one.
When I'm gone don't wonder where I be.
Just say that I trusted in God and that Christ was in me.
Say He defeated the devil, He was God's chosen Son
And that there ain't no man righteous, no not one.
It don't matter 'bout his position, it don't matter 'bout his lifestyle.
Talk about perfection, I ain't never seen none
And there ain't no man righteous, no not one.
Sometimes the devil likes to drive you from the neighborhood.
He'll even work his ways through those whose intentions are good.
Some like to worship on the moon, others are worshipping the sun
And there ain't no man righteous, no not one.
Look around, ya see so many social hypocrites
Like to make rules for others while they do just the opposite.
You can't get to glory by the raising and the lowering of no flag.
Put your goodness next to God's and it comes out like a filthy rag.
In a city of darkness there's no need of the sun
And there ain't no man righteous, no not one.
Done so many evil things in the name of love, it's a crying shame
I never did see no fire that could put out a flame.
Pull your hat down, baby, pull the wool down over your eyes,
Keep a-talking, baby, 'til you run right out of alibis.
Someday you'll account for all the deeds that you done.
Well, there ain't no man righteous, no not one.
God got the power, man has got his vanity,
Man gotta choose before God can set him free.
Don't you know there's nothing new that's under the sun?
Well, there ain't no man righteous, no not one.
When I'm gone don't wonder where I be.
Just say that I trusted in God and that Christ was in me.
Say He defeated the devil, He was God's chosen Son
And that there ain't no man righteous, no not one.
Lyrics submitted by Philadelphia Eagles
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I think the lyrics are great. "Done so many evil things in the name of love, it's a crying shame / I never did see no fire that could put out a flame." I'm a Christian and I think Dylan's take on the faith is fantastic. --"Slow Train Coming" is still one of my favourite Dylan tunes.
So much magnificent art, throughout history, has been inspired (and often funded) by religion and religious institutions. Even agnostics can marvel at the beauty of the Sistene Chapel, or Michaelangelo's David. Handel's Messiah is known to please the ears of all sorts of people, believers and non.
Let's take the music for what it is and be glad that Dylan found a muse to sustain him through a third, and fourth, and fifth decade of writing! How greater a waste would it have been if he retired to seclusion in 1975, never to write or sculpt or paint again?
Disgusting Christianity, ugh! I know that some people have to explore their spirituality, but did he have to make three albums about it? Christ, that was a huge fucking waste of poetic talent!
Sincerely, A disgruntled agnostic