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.
I am a céilídh cowboy
I'm a stranger in this town
You should hear your women
squeal with joy
When I get their knickers down
I'll dance them and romance them
Til they're nearly out of breath
Then when I taken them out for air
I'll fuck them half to death
Been sitting on a fridge
close to the edge
Running out of coke
and dying for a poke
Don't lock up your wives
and daughters
Don't lock up your cats and dogs
I came down here
with my feet all bare
And I sleep in a hollow log
Yippee I oh
Yippee I ay
Yodle odle ee
Yodle odle ay
Yodle odle odle ay
My name is Father Emmett
I've been banished from my home
Cos all the women loved me
and I always had the bone
I could play the concertina, guitar, bouzouki and cittern
When I dance the Siege of Ennis
The floor beneath me starts to burn
For a jar or two just get me through
I'll do a turn for you ...
and absolve you too
I'll take care of your missus
All night long the whole night through
While you jump on that young one
over there
That's making eyes at you
I'm a stranger in this town
You should hear your women
squeal with joy
When I get their knickers down
I'll dance them and romance them
Til they're nearly out of breath
Then when I taken them out for air
I'll fuck them half to death
Been sitting on a fridge
close to the edge
Running out of coke
and dying for a poke
Don't lock up your wives
and daughters
Don't lock up your cats and dogs
I came down here
with my feet all bare
And I sleep in a hollow log
Yippee I oh
Yippee I ay
Yodle odle ee
Yodle odle ay
Yodle odle odle ay
My name is Father Emmett
I've been banished from my home
Cos all the women loved me
and I always had the bone
I could play the concertina, guitar, bouzouki and cittern
When I dance the Siege of Ennis
The floor beneath me starts to burn
For a jar or two just get me through
I'll do a turn for you ...
and absolve you too
I'll take care of your missus
All night long the whole night through
While you jump on that young one
over there
That's making eyes at you
Lyrics submitted by indefeat
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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.
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