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.
Sure as I was borne in ireland, I was weaned on whiskey, but raised on gin
Drinkin' so long since I was born, never been so high as a kite in a storm
Hey ho, whataya know, when you're outta good whiskey, you're out on the road
Way to kilkenny where liquor is plenty and people are friendly wherever you go
Hey, ho, whataya know, when your glass is empty, you're bound to go
Back on the job just to earn a few bob for good liquor and grub at the kilkenny pub
Well I left my home when I was twelve. I was on the road like a bat out of hell
Looking for work in the county of cork with a thick-headed dummy named paddy o'rourke
Hey ho, whataya know, when you're outta good whiskey, you're out on the road
Way to kilkenny where liquor is plenty and people are friendly wherever you go
Hey, ho, whataya know, when your glass is empty, you're bound to go
Back on the job just to earn a few bob for good liquor and grub at the kilkenny pub
Kickin' and splashin' and pissin' and cussin' and guzzlin' and laughin' and blowin' yer load
Dancin' and singin' shilaylees are swingin' we're arm in arm as we're staggerin' home
Diddlee-aye, diddlee-aye, diddlee-aye, ay
Diddlee-aye, diddlee-aye, diddlee-aye, ay
Kickin' and splashin' and pissin' and cussin' and guzzlin' and laughin' and blowin' yer load
Dancin' and singin' shilaylees are swingin' we're arm in arm as we're staggerin' home
Diddlee-aye, diddlee-aye, diddlee-aye, ay
Diddlee-aye, diddlee-aye, diddlee-aye, ay
Hey ho, whataya know, when you're outta good whiskey, you're out on the road
Way to kilkenny where liquor is plenty and people are friendly wherever you go
Hey, ho, whataya know, when your glass is empty, you're bound to go
Back on the job just to earn a few bob for good liquor and grub at the kilkenny pub
Drinkin' so long since I was born, never been so high as a kite in a storm
Hey ho, whataya know, when you're outta good whiskey, you're out on the road
Way to kilkenny where liquor is plenty and people are friendly wherever you go
Hey, ho, whataya know, when your glass is empty, you're bound to go
Back on the job just to earn a few bob for good liquor and grub at the kilkenny pub
Well I left my home when I was twelve. I was on the road like a bat out of hell
Looking for work in the county of cork with a thick-headed dummy named paddy o'rourke
Hey ho, whataya know, when you're outta good whiskey, you're out on the road
Way to kilkenny where liquor is plenty and people are friendly wherever you go
Hey, ho, whataya know, when your glass is empty, you're bound to go
Back on the job just to earn a few bob for good liquor and grub at the kilkenny pub
Kickin' and splashin' and pissin' and cussin' and guzzlin' and laughin' and blowin' yer load
Dancin' and singin' shilaylees are swingin' we're arm in arm as we're staggerin' home
Diddlee-aye, diddlee-aye, diddlee-aye, ay
Diddlee-aye, diddlee-aye, diddlee-aye, ay
Kickin' and splashin' and pissin' and cussin' and guzzlin' and laughin' and blowin' yer load
Dancin' and singin' shilaylees are swingin' we're arm in arm as we're staggerin' home
Diddlee-aye, diddlee-aye, diddlee-aye, ay
Diddlee-aye, diddlee-aye, diddlee-aye, ay
Hey ho, whataya know, when you're outta good whiskey, you're out on the road
Way to kilkenny where liquor is plenty and people are friendly wherever you go
Hey, ho, whataya know, when your glass is empty, you're bound to go
Back on the job just to earn a few bob for good liquor and grub at the kilkenny pub
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.