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.
Tell me what a young man, mama, what's he got to live for
Tossed in the shuffles of everyday war
Searchin' for some trouble, Lord, which I'm sure he will find
Spend your whole life fightin', son, meet your dyin' time
It's a shame, it's a shame, Lord
The trigger be his only friend
It's a shame, oh yeah
But it ain't never gonna end, no, that's right
He's a pocketful of hate that don't give a damn
What fate awaits the machine-gun man?
Well, he ain't got no future and he ain't got no plan
What fate awaits the machine-gun man?
The machine gun man, yeah
I can't see tomorrow and I don't see today
Trail of confusion, Lord, done leadin' my way
They say the only thing worth killin', Lord, be killin' time
Only soul worth savin' now, mama, be a re-savin' mine
It's a shame, it's a shame, Lord
The trigger be his only friend
It's a shame, oh yeah
But it ain't never gonna end, that's right
He's a pocketful of hate that don't give a damn
What fate awaits the machine-gun man?
Well, he ain't got no future and he ain't got no plan
What fate awaits the machine-gun man?
He keeps shootin', oh mama
Like any old fool would do
Lord, the life he be leadin'
Ain't the one he had to choose
As he walks on out that door
Mama breaks down to cry
Oh, as she waves the machine gun man
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Yeah, he's a pocketful of hate that don't give a damn
Oh, what fate awaits the machine-gun man?
Well, he ain't got no future and he ain't got no plan
What fate awaits the machine-gun man?
The machine, yeah, gun man, the machine-gun man, yeah, oh yeah
Tossed in the shuffles of everyday war
Searchin' for some trouble, Lord, which I'm sure he will find
Spend your whole life fightin', son, meet your dyin' time
It's a shame, it's a shame, Lord
The trigger be his only friend
It's a shame, oh yeah
But it ain't never gonna end, no, that's right
He's a pocketful of hate that don't give a damn
What fate awaits the machine-gun man?
Well, he ain't got no future and he ain't got no plan
What fate awaits the machine-gun man?
The machine gun man, yeah
I can't see tomorrow and I don't see today
Trail of confusion, Lord, done leadin' my way
They say the only thing worth killin', Lord, be killin' time
Only soul worth savin' now, mama, be a re-savin' mine
It's a shame, it's a shame, Lord
The trigger be his only friend
It's a shame, oh yeah
But it ain't never gonna end, that's right
He's a pocketful of hate that don't give a damn
What fate awaits the machine-gun man?
Well, he ain't got no future and he ain't got no plan
What fate awaits the machine-gun man?
He keeps shootin', oh mama
Like any old fool would do
Lord, the life he be leadin'
Ain't the one he had to choose
As he walks on out that door
Mama breaks down to cry
Oh, as she waves the machine gun man
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
Yeah, he's a pocketful of hate that don't give a damn
Oh, what fate awaits the machine-gun man?
Well, he ain't got no future and he ain't got no plan
What fate awaits the machine-gun man?
The machine, yeah, gun man, the machine-gun man, yeah, oh yeah
Lyrics submitted by MetalRican101
Machine Gun Man Lyrics as written by Zakk Wylde
Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think this is about a soldier going off to war and debating wether the murder in war is justifiable (They say the only thing worth killin' Lord Be killin' time say the only soul worth savin' now Mama be a Resavin' mine) then he becomes brainwashed and numb towards it all (He's a pocketful of hate That don't give a damn What fate awaits…The machine gun man?) It's a good look at wether or not drafting is against a persons right to moral boundary.