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.
Erin, Erin, Erin!
Errin' across America
Do now cheer me on
Can you hear the song for you?
Quick, now, caramel dip
Give it up to the runaway ship
Hail, now, hail to the bitch
The hairy literary with the nervous, nervous twitch
Shy, your light pops out
And we stand there astounded
And we pound our heads and shout
We shout 'alleluia'
Well, look what it did to ya
Oh, a horrible mess
And we're eatin' by the river in the sunday dress
Oh, serenade me
Eatin' the biscuits and gravy
You are missin' from me
As you juggle with your uncle in the red, red sea
I will wait, or will
Knock my knees and talk, you are so still
Oh, Shenandoah
We just crossed the wide Missouri
You are so oh oh oh
Bonny, shh, do not worry
Quick, now, caramel dip
Give it up to the runaway ship
Life's so sweet and so low
Buried in the water, yeah, buried in the snow
So dear, deep and so dark
Sleepin' under papers in the central park
Twentieth floor balcony houses what is home to me
Twentieth floor balcony houses what is home to me
Twentieth floor balcony houses what is home to me
Errin' across America
Do now cheer me on
Can you hear the song for you?
Quick, now, caramel dip
Give it up to the runaway ship
Hail, now, hail to the bitch
The hairy literary with the nervous, nervous twitch
Shy, your light pops out
And we stand there astounded
And we pound our heads and shout
We shout 'alleluia'
Well, look what it did to ya
Oh, a horrible mess
And we're eatin' by the river in the sunday dress
Oh, serenade me
Eatin' the biscuits and gravy
You are missin' from me
As you juggle with your uncle in the red, red sea
I will wait, or will
Knock my knees and talk, you are so still
Oh, Shenandoah
We just crossed the wide Missouri
You are so oh oh oh
Bonny, shh, do not worry
Quick, now, caramel dip
Give it up to the runaway ship
Life's so sweet and so low
Buried in the water, yeah, buried in the snow
So dear, deep and so dark
Sleepin' under papers in the central park
Twentieth floor balcony houses what is home to me
Twentieth floor balcony houses what is home to me
Twentieth floor balcony houses what is home to me
Lyrics submitted by el_castaneda, edited by Chimpanzeehood, TheSatah
Erin Lyrics as written by Joanna Newsom
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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@[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 is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Hi Songmeanings folks, I'm really impressed by all the thought you've evidently put into these interpretations, and I'm hoping some of you will be interested in contributing to a project related to Ms. Newsom's amazing work. You see, I am putting together a book of writings to be called “Visions of Joanna Newsom” (yes, the reference to Bob Dylan's "Visions of Johanna" is intentional). I’m looking for art, essays, poems, true stories, academic readings of songs, anecdotes, and all things related to Ms. Newsom. I’ve already secured a contribution from the novelist and Joanna-acolyte Dave Eggers, and the book will be published through a small press that I will soon be starting up here in Sacramento. This is not just a pie-in-the-sky project; it’s real and will definitely happen. I will need new work that hasn't already been posted here, because I don't want to violate copyright, but I'm sure some of you will be willing to rise to the occasion and offer your views on a particular song or album's meaning. So who am I? Well, I teach English Literature and Creative Writing full-time at the California State University, Sacramento. I’m also poet of sorts; you can read some of my poetry at my now-lapsed blog: miracleshirker.blogspot.com or verify my academic existence at the CSUS English Department’s web page: csus.edu/engl/. I’m also a board member at the Sacramento Poetry Center, where I co-edit The Tule Review, and I have a few books and articles out there already in various fields. You can reach me via email at buchanan@csus.edu Thanks! yours, Brad Buchanan