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.
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out
Next they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out
And then they came for me
This is autonomy- my american dream
Stepped over on the street, stars and stripes blinding me
Their contagious air we breath, my american dream
Classism the black plague, will mark your grave
This is the second time, we will not fall in line
No you can't stop this exodus
No you won't stop this exodus
No you can't stop this exodus
No you won't stop this exodus
A hooded prisoner on the bay, these truths let freedom ring
A child Darfur refugee, home of the free and brave
The ghosts of war who will not sleep, these truths let freedom ring
The poor who drown in bigotry, will mark your grave
This is the second time, yeah, it's the second time, we will not fall in line
No you can't stop this exodus
No you won't stop this exodus
No you can't stop this exodus
No you won't stop this exodus
Fight forever more, the movement of the people
Fight forever more, the voice of the emigre
Fight forever more, the movement of the people
Fight forever more, no concession, no compromise
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out
And then they came for me
No you can't stop this exodus
No you won't stop this exodus
No you can't stop this exodus
No you won't stop this exodus
This is the second time, we will not fall in line
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out
Next they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out
And then they came for me
This is autonomy- my american dream
Stepped over on the street, stars and stripes blinding me
Their contagious air we breath, my american dream
Classism the black plague, will mark your grave
This is the second time, we will not fall in line
No you can't stop this exodus
No you won't stop this exodus
No you can't stop this exodus
No you won't stop this exodus
A hooded prisoner on the bay, these truths let freedom ring
A child Darfur refugee, home of the free and brave
The ghosts of war who will not sleep, these truths let freedom ring
The poor who drown in bigotry, will mark your grave
This is the second time, yeah, it's the second time, we will not fall in line
No you can't stop this exodus
No you won't stop this exodus
No you can't stop this exodus
No you won't stop this exodus
Fight forever more, the movement of the people
Fight forever more, the voice of the emigre
Fight forever more, the movement of the people
Fight forever more, no concession, no compromise
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out
And then they came for me
No you can't stop this exodus
No you won't stop this exodus
No you can't stop this exodus
No you won't stop this exodus
This is the second time, we will not fall in line
Lyrics submitted by punkpirate
Emigre Lyrics as written by Patrick C. Bollinger Christopher Lee Barker
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
reminds me of some of their older stuff. Good to see them mixing it up a bit. this song is about the government trying to convince us of the war and that they have just had it with them
This is a great song because I see that it could possibly enlighten some apathetic individuals out there.
This song is basically saying that we sit around complacent when peoples freedoms are taken away, because we have that "its not me, its them" mentality.
But when they come for us, taking our freedoms away, there is no one to help us. We need to fight against all attempts the government makes to take away our freedom.