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.
On this earth not alone we stand
Outstretched arm and upturned hand
Never knowing when the shakes steady
And 'till now we have seldom seen
And I will go if you go with me
Understand I will wait for thee
I'll try to catch up if you move quickly
If the rain does blow
And oh sir
If you ever lose your way
You can call upon this family
You can call upon this day
And old man
If you ever lose your way
You can call up on this family
You can call upon this day
'Cause you're my present my future
My lesson my teacher
Oh... My world is still
You're my God you're my guide
In my life I confide to ever shelter your will
And my words are forerver you're my blanket my shiver
Whatever you give I'll never lack
You're my chorus my refrain
The verse of my first pain
Let the voices come barrelling back
'Cause I can stand to stay right where I am
Let the water fill this hand
Bring it to your mouth
And pass beyond your lips
No gale can down this ship
And I'll stand on your shoulders
To watch us grow older
I can see us far along the road
As the trail grows deeper
your my giver my keeper
Laughter for years untold
'Cause I can stand to stay right where I am
Let the water fill this hand
Bring it to your mouth
And pass beyond your lips
No gale can down this ship
And wherever you go there you are
And if I go I won't go far
Wherever you go
There you are
And if I go I won't go far
And oh sir
If you ever lose your way
You can call upon this family
You can call upon this day
Outstretched arm and upturned hand
Never knowing when the shakes steady
And 'till now we have seldom seen
And I will go if you go with me
Understand I will wait for thee
I'll try to catch up if you move quickly
If the rain does blow
And oh sir
If you ever lose your way
You can call upon this family
You can call upon this day
And old man
If you ever lose your way
You can call up on this family
You can call upon this day
'Cause you're my present my future
My lesson my teacher
Oh... My world is still
You're my God you're my guide
In my life I confide to ever shelter your will
And my words are forerver you're my blanket my shiver
Whatever you give I'll never lack
You're my chorus my refrain
The verse of my first pain
Let the voices come barrelling back
'Cause I can stand to stay right where I am
Let the water fill this hand
Bring it to your mouth
And pass beyond your lips
No gale can down this ship
And I'll stand on your shoulders
To watch us grow older
I can see us far along the road
As the trail grows deeper
your my giver my keeper
Laughter for years untold
'Cause I can stand to stay right where I am
Let the water fill this hand
Bring it to your mouth
And pass beyond your lips
No gale can down this ship
And wherever you go there you are
And if I go I won't go far
Wherever you go
There you are
And if I go I won't go far
And oh sir
If you ever lose your way
You can call upon this family
You can call upon this day
Lyrics submitted by shaynew216
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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fantastic song, abosuletly beautiful melody. If you like this style, which I assume you do if you are reading this, listen to:
anyway, listen, expand ur musical horizons..be turned on
sweet dude...thanks for helping us to "expand our horizons" with some slightly stoopid, man you are so enlightened!