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.
Come on beautiful we'll go sit on the front lawn
We'll watch the fireflies as the sun goes down
They don't live too long, just a flash and then they're gone
We'll laugh at them and watch the sun go down
You're so pretty baby
You're the prettiest thing I know
You're so pretty baby
Where did you go
Tell my why you don't sleep anymore
Tell me what you sit up all night waiting for
Are you waiting for loneliness to paralyze
Are you waiting for Sister Midnight to unleash the tide
You're so pretty baby
You're the prettiest thing I know
You're so pretty baby
Where did you go
Finish the prayer that started as a kiss
The overwhelming dream of happiness
I'll give you all of my good luck
For the overwhelming dream that's killing us
You're so pretty baby
You're the prettiest thing I know
You're so pretty baby
Where did you go
Come on we'll go sit on the front lawn
I'll hold you in my arms and we're gone
Here and gone, firefly
We'll watch the fireflies as the sun goes down
They don't live too long, just a flash and then they're gone
We'll laugh at them and watch the sun go down
You're so pretty baby
You're the prettiest thing I know
You're so pretty baby
Where did you go
Tell my why you don't sleep anymore
Tell me what you sit up all night waiting for
Are you waiting for loneliness to paralyze
Are you waiting for Sister Midnight to unleash the tide
You're so pretty baby
You're the prettiest thing I know
You're so pretty baby
Where did you go
Finish the prayer that started as a kiss
The overwhelming dream of happiness
I'll give you all of my good luck
For the overwhelming dream that's killing us
You're so pretty baby
You're the prettiest thing I know
You're so pretty baby
Where did you go
Come on we'll go sit on the front lawn
I'll hold you in my arms and we're gone
Here and gone, firefly
Lyrics submitted by vintagetapshoes
Firefly Lyrics as written by Mark Eitzel
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I feel like there is a lot of continuity throughout AMC songs; in the same vein that "At My Mercy" and "Asleep" were in, this seems to be about somebody that he loves, but who has changed for the worst. He's reminiscing about a moment of bliss that they both had where they literally watched the fireflies and sat on the lawn. At the same time, he's comparing her love to a firefly, since it sparks for a second and then disappears. It's upsetting and brilliant.
This verse always gets me:
Tell my why you don't sleep anymore Tell me what you sit up all night waiting for Are you waiting for loneliness to paralyze Are you waiting for Sister Midnight to unleash the tide
I think "the overwhelming dream that's killing us" is that the object of his affection (or a friend) is pursuing something that's driving them apart. The "overwhelming dream" could be a career, or could be drugs or something else harmful, as in something out of a bad dream.