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.
Out on the corner with cast iron blood
10,000 more with hearts on their own
The say I might die I maybe cold
I may have no Jesus I may have no soul
In prison I hear there's time to be good
But the first thing you see is the last thing you should
Well I've seen the battle and I've seen the war
And the life laying here is the life I've been told
Well I've seen the battle and I've seen the war
And the life laying here is the life I've been sold
They say there's a path soon where I'll stand to judge
But the devils a waiting with Christ like a son
When the look comes your way best say was I
For the reasons you hold give reasons to die
The callings impatient but the calls never won
But the last one to say it may last through the flood
Well I've seen the battle and I've seen the war
And the life laying here is the life I've been sold
Well I've seen the battle and I've seen the war
And the life I have here is the life I've been told
And born in the mirror where life's just begun
And I've roamed from the reasons and roamed to the gun
They say I'm the killer and thy will be done
And the doors won't be open when I finally become
And I've seen the battle and I've seen the war
And the life laying here is the life I've been sold
Yeah I've seen the battle and I've seen the war
And the life laying here is the life I've been told
10,000 more with hearts on their own
The say I might die I maybe cold
I may have no Jesus I may have no soul
In prison I hear there's time to be good
But the first thing you see is the last thing you should
Well I've seen the battle and I've seen the war
And the life laying here is the life I've been told
Well I've seen the battle and I've seen the war
And the life laying here is the life I've been sold
They say there's a path soon where I'll stand to judge
But the devils a waiting with Christ like a son
When the look comes your way best say was I
For the reasons you hold give reasons to die
The callings impatient but the calls never won
But the last one to say it may last through the flood
Well I've seen the battle and I've seen the war
And the life laying here is the life I've been sold
Well I've seen the battle and I've seen the war
And the life I have here is the life I've been told
And born in the mirror where life's just begun
And I've roamed from the reasons and roamed to the gun
They say I'm the killer and thy will be done
And the doors won't be open when I finally become
And I've seen the battle and I've seen the war
And the life laying here is the life I've been sold
Yeah I've seen the battle and I've seen the war
And the life laying here is the life I've been told
Lyrics submitted by Joekubrick
Devil's Waitin' Lyrics as written by Robert Turner Peter Hayes
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I agree with theabsolutionhowl.to me it's a very sad song,though not depressing.it seems to me like he's done something very wrong and he won't even say he's sorry because probably he's said it too many times already and it made no difference.and now he has no more reasons to live and is just waiting for his judgment.and he's made peace with it he's ready to go.but that's just my vision of the song