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.
God’s footballer hears the voices of angels
Above the choir at molineux
God’s footballer stands on the doorstep
And brings the good news of the kingdom to come
While the crowd sings ’rock of ages’
The goals bring weekly wages
Yet the glory of the sports pages
Is but the worship of false idols and tempts him not
God’s footballer turns on a sixpence
And brings the great crowd to their feet in praise of him
God’s footballer quotes from the gospels
While knocking on doors in black country back streets
He scores goals on a saturday
And saves souls on a sunday
For the lord says these are the last days
Prepare thyself for the judgement yet to come
His career will be over soon
And the rituals of a saturday afternoon
Bid him a reluctant farewell
For he knows beyond the sport lies the spiritual
Above the choir at molineux
God’s footballer stands on the doorstep
And brings the good news of the kingdom to come
While the crowd sings ’rock of ages’
The goals bring weekly wages
Yet the glory of the sports pages
Is but the worship of false idols and tempts him not
God’s footballer turns on a sixpence
And brings the great crowd to their feet in praise of him
God’s footballer quotes from the gospels
While knocking on doors in black country back streets
He scores goals on a saturday
And saves souls on a sunday
For the lord says these are the last days
Prepare thyself for the judgement yet to come
His career will be over soon
And the rituals of a saturday afternoon
Bid him a reluctant farewell
For he knows beyond the sport lies the spiritual
Lyrics submitted by SquidOmelet
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
It's about Peter Knowles, a Wolverhampton player (thus the reference to Molineux) who quit football in order to become a Jehovah's Witness.
He scored 64 goals in 91 games and was only 24 when he quit the game in 1970.