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 how do you do?
My name is Lars
I'm from Cambell, California
You might know that by now
I'm of Danish decent
For that I'm proud
See, my father was a nomad
I haven't seen him for awhile
Lost a brother
Still got a mother, I ain't motherless
For some of you out there
That might be hard to believe
See, I've been up and I've been down
Smiled and I've frown
I'vve made a every gesture
That a young man could steal
And I know that I'm married to the sea
Well, I know I'm married to the sea
You see, some people are on lockdown
And some are free
But I know that I'm married to the sea
Well I've been rich I've been poor
Spent it on whores
Got married and divorced
To the girl that's next door
Stolen fast cars, dated pop stars
Been around the world
Slept with underage women
Turned tricks for a thrill
Tried sucide but didn't die
Well I'm here to tell
I don't know of heaven
But I've made peace with hell
Been shot at, been stabbed
Been beaten up real bad
Survived everything without being killed
And I know I'm married to the sea
And I know I'm married to the sea
Some people are on lockdown man
Some are free
And I know I'm married to the sea
Slept in fancy hotels, eaten from garbage cans
But down every highway I grew into a man
Seen my best friend die right before my eyes
Aborted a baby and shed all my tears
Been strung out on pills
Slammed my share of dope yea
I drank all your booze man
And I snorted your coke
I've been loved I've been hated
To me it's all the same
Embraced by a lover
Or your cursing my name
And I know I'm married to the sea
And I know I'm married to the sea
Some people are on lockdown
And some are free
And I know I'm married to the sea
And I know I'm married to the sea
And I know I'm married to the sea
Some people are on lockdown sugar
And some are free
And I know I'm married to the sea
I'm married to the sea
You see the great big ocean
Well that's for me
Sorry ladies, I'm married to the sea
I'm married to the sea
I'm married to the sea
But I'm free
Yeah, I'm free...
My name is Lars
I'm from Cambell, California
You might know that by now
I'm of Danish decent
For that I'm proud
See, my father was a nomad
I haven't seen him for awhile
Lost a brother
Still got a mother, I ain't motherless
For some of you out there
That might be hard to believe
See, I've been up and I've been down
Smiled and I've frown
I'vve made a every gesture
That a young man could steal
And I know that I'm married to the sea
Well, I know I'm married to the sea
You see, some people are on lockdown
And some are free
But I know that I'm married to the sea
Well I've been rich I've been poor
Spent it on whores
Got married and divorced
To the girl that's next door
Stolen fast cars, dated pop stars
Been around the world
Slept with underage women
Turned tricks for a thrill
Tried sucide but didn't die
Well I'm here to tell
I don't know of heaven
But I've made peace with hell
Been shot at, been stabbed
Been beaten up real bad
Survived everything without being killed
And I know I'm married to the sea
And I know I'm married to the sea
Some people are on lockdown man
Some are free
And I know I'm married to the sea
Slept in fancy hotels, eaten from garbage cans
But down every highway I grew into a man
Seen my best friend die right before my eyes
Aborted a baby and shed all my tears
Been strung out on pills
Slammed my share of dope yea
I drank all your booze man
And I snorted your coke
I've been loved I've been hated
To me it's all the same
Embraced by a lover
Or your cursing my name
And I know I'm married to the sea
And I know I'm married to the sea
Some people are on lockdown
And some are free
And I know I'm married to the sea
And I know I'm married to the sea
And I know I'm married to the sea
Some people are on lockdown sugar
And some are free
And I know I'm married to the sea
I'm married to the sea
You see the great big ocean
Well that's for me
Sorry ladies, I'm married to the sea
I'm married to the sea
I'm married to the sea
But I'm free
Yeah, I'm free...
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I like this song. Except for the part where he admits he's a statutory rapist
("slept with underage women")