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 I tell you a story about a good man
Who had many a problem before he reached dry land
It ain't easy for a good man to go down no it ain't easy for a good man to go down
On the earth there was trouble sorrow and pain
So the Lord said to Noah I'm gonna make it rain
It ain't easy for a good man to go down no it ain't easy for a good man to go down
Noah gathered his sons and the ark it was raised
Two by two came the animals that they might be saved
It ain't easy...
[ guitar ]
Well it rainded forty days and it rained forty nights
All the earth it was covered the mountains out of sight
It ain't easy for a good man to go down no it ain't easy for a good man to go down
When the waters receded and the earth it was dry
The Lord said to Noah go forth and multiply
It ain't easy for a good man to go down no it ain't easy for a good man to go down
Yes the Lord made a ranbow way up in the sky
He promised no flood would ever murder you and die
It ain't easy for a good man to go down no it ain't easy for a good man to go down
Who had many a problem before he reached dry land
It ain't easy for a good man to go down no it ain't easy for a good man to go down
On the earth there was trouble sorrow and pain
So the Lord said to Noah I'm gonna make it rain
It ain't easy for a good man to go down no it ain't easy for a good man to go down
Noah gathered his sons and the ark it was raised
Two by two came the animals that they might be saved
It ain't easy...
[ guitar ]
Well it rainded forty days and it rained forty nights
All the earth it was covered the mountains out of sight
It ain't easy for a good man to go down no it ain't easy for a good man to go down
When the waters receded and the earth it was dry
The Lord said to Noah go forth and multiply
It ain't easy for a good man to go down no it ain't easy for a good man to go down
Yes the Lord made a ranbow way up in the sky
He promised no flood would ever murder you and die
It ain't easy for a good man to go down no it ain't easy for a good man to go down
Lyrics submitted by ButNeverOutgunned
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