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.
There are children standing here
Arms outstretched and to the sky
Tears drying on their face
He has been here
Brothers lie in shallow graves
Fathers lost without a trace
A nation blind to their disgrace
Since he's been here
And I see no bravery
No bravery
In your eyes anymore
Only sadness
And I see no bravery
No bravery
In your eyes anymore
Only sadness
Only sadness
Houses burnt beyond repair
The smell of death is in the air
A woman weeping in despair says
He has been here
Tracers lighting up the sky
It's another family's turn to die
A child afraid to even cry out says
He has been here
And I see no bravery (no bravery)
No bravery (no bravery)
In your eyes anymore
Only sadness
And I see no bravery
No bravery
In your eyes anymore
Only sadness
There are children standing here
Arms outstretched and to the sky
But no one asks the question why
He has been here
Old men kneel to except their fate
Wives and daughters cut and raped
A generation drenched in hate says
He has been here
And I see no bravery
No bravery
In your eyes anymore only sadness
And I see no bravery
No bravery
In your eyes anymore
Anymore
Anymore
Anymore
And I see no bravery
No bravery
In your eyes anymore
Only sadness
And I see no bravery
No bravery
In your eyes anymore
Only sadness
Only sadness
Arms outstretched and to the sky
Tears drying on their face
He has been here
Brothers lie in shallow graves
Fathers lost without a trace
A nation blind to their disgrace
Since he's been here
And I see no bravery
No bravery
In your eyes anymore
Only sadness
And I see no bravery
No bravery
In your eyes anymore
Only sadness
Only sadness
Houses burnt beyond repair
The smell of death is in the air
A woman weeping in despair says
He has been here
Tracers lighting up the sky
It's another family's turn to die
A child afraid to even cry out says
He has been here
And I see no bravery (no bravery)
No bravery (no bravery)
In your eyes anymore
Only sadness
And I see no bravery
No bravery
In your eyes anymore
Only sadness
There are children standing here
Arms outstretched and to the sky
But no one asks the question why
He has been here
Old men kneel to except their fate
Wives and daughters cut and raped
A generation drenched in hate says
He has been here
And I see no bravery
No bravery
In your eyes anymore only sadness
And I see no bravery
No bravery
In your eyes anymore
Anymore
Anymore
Anymore
And I see no bravery
No bravery
In your eyes anymore
Only sadness
And I see no bravery
No bravery
In your eyes anymore
Only sadness
Only sadness
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