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.
Pa drove to town yesterday to pick out her grave
He found the lot where she'd lay
Then he drove to old man Ed Sutterton's place
To find him some peace
He got there round about twelve
And he stayed till three
And the sun left him down in the valley
But the moon met him up in the hills by the lake
Reflecting the ghost of ma's place
Suppertime came and went
No one heard from him
Sis left his food on the plate
At the end of the table right next to ma's place
Where nobody'd sit
The telephone rang bout four
My sister answered it
And I felt the news through the floor boards
Like a long, sullen moan
Like a wreck on the road
Like a joining of hands
So, I drove to town yesterday
To pick out his grave
I found the lot where they'd lay
And then I drove
To old man Ed Sutterton's place
To find me some peace
He found the lot where she'd lay
Then he drove to old man Ed Sutterton's place
To find him some peace
He got there round about twelve
And he stayed till three
And the sun left him down in the valley
But the moon met him up in the hills by the lake
Reflecting the ghost of ma's place
Suppertime came and went
No one heard from him
Sis left his food on the plate
At the end of the table right next to ma's place
Where nobody'd sit
The telephone rang bout four
My sister answered it
And I felt the news through the floor boards
Like a long, sullen moan
Like a wreck on the road
Like a joining of hands
So, I drove to town yesterday
To pick out his grave
I found the lot where they'd lay
And then I drove
To old man Ed Sutterton's place
To find me some peace
Lyrics submitted by BlueAndStarry
PA Lyrics as written by Catherine Anne Popper Bradley Smith Pemberton
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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