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.
Well, it's always been my nature
To take chances
My right hand drawing back
While my left hand advances
Where the current is strong
And the monkey dances
To the tune
Of a concertina
Blood dryin' in my yellow hair
As I go from shore to shore
I know what it is
That has drawn me to your door
But whatever could it be
Makes you think
You've seen me before
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
His eyes were two slits
Makin' a snake proud
With a face that any painter would paint
As he walked through the crowd
Worshiping a God
With the body of a woman
Well endowed
And the head of a hyena
Do I need your permission
To turn the other cheek?
If you can read my mind
Why must I speak?
No, I have heard nothing
About the man
That you seek
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
In the valley of the giants
Where the stars and stripes explode
The peaches they were sweet
And the milk and honey flowed
I was only following instructions
When the judge
Sent me down the road
With your subpoena
When you cease to exist
Then who will you blame?
I've tried my best to love you
But I cannot play this game
Your best friend
And my worst enemy
Is one and the same
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
There's a black Mercedes
Rollin' through the combat zone
Your servants are half dead
You're down to the bone
Tell me, tall man
Where would you like
To be overthrown
In Jerusalem or Argentina?
She was stolen from her mother
When she was three days old
Now her vengeance has been satisfied
And her possessions have been sold
He's surrounded by God's angels
And she's wearin' a blindfold
But so are you
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
I see pieces of men marching
Trying to take Heaven by force
I can see the unknown rider
I can see the pale white horse
In God's truth name
Tell me what you want
And you'll have it of course
Just step into the arena
Beat a path of retreat
Up them spiral staircases
Pass the tree of smoke
Pass the angel with four faces
Begging God for mercy
And weepin'
In unholy places
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, oh, Angelina
Oh, oh, Angelina
To take chances
My right hand drawing back
While my left hand advances
Where the current is strong
And the monkey dances
To the tune
Of a concertina
Blood dryin' in my yellow hair
As I go from shore to shore
I know what it is
That has drawn me to your door
But whatever could it be
Makes you think
You've seen me before
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
His eyes were two slits
Makin' a snake proud
With a face that any painter would paint
As he walked through the crowd
Worshiping a God
With the body of a woman
Well endowed
And the head of a hyena
Do I need your permission
To turn the other cheek?
If you can read my mind
Why must I speak?
No, I have heard nothing
About the man
That you seek
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
In the valley of the giants
Where the stars and stripes explode
The peaches they were sweet
And the milk and honey flowed
I was only following instructions
When the judge
Sent me down the road
With your subpoena
When you cease to exist
Then who will you blame?
I've tried my best to love you
But I cannot play this game
Your best friend
And my worst enemy
Is one and the same
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
There's a black Mercedes
Rollin' through the combat zone
Your servants are half dead
You're down to the bone
Tell me, tall man
Where would you like
To be overthrown
In Jerusalem or Argentina?
She was stolen from her mother
When she was three days old
Now her vengeance has been satisfied
And her possessions have been sold
He's surrounded by God's angels
And she's wearin' a blindfold
But so are you
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
I see pieces of men marching
Trying to take Heaven by force
I can see the unknown rider
I can see the pale white horse
In God's truth name
Tell me what you want
And you'll have it of course
Just step into the arena
Beat a path of retreat
Up them spiral staircases
Pass the tree of smoke
Pass the angel with four faces
Begging God for mercy
And weepin'
In unholy places
Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, Angelina
Oh, oh, Angelina
Oh, oh, Angelina
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Great version of a great song,
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I'm always amazed with everyone's interpretations and this discussion doesn't fail. I think you're all correct about Angelina. It's a song which, to me, has always fit both bills of unanswerable spirituality/religion conflicts and those simpler issues of the plain ol' human condition.
Who else but Dylan could go to the places where all people but the soulless always wander to ponder and try to figure out?