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.
I'm a soldier, znachit ya
(I'm a soldier, meaning that I'm)
I otvyetchik i sud'ya
(Both the defendent and the judge)
Ya stoyu na dvukh kontsakh ognya
(I'm standing on both sides of the fire)
Ogibaya virazhi, obgonyaya smyert' i zhizn'
(Leaning into the curves, outrunning life and death)
Ya byegu srazit'sya s tyen'yu lzhi
(I'm running to fight with the shadow of a lie)
skol'ko b nityey nye plyol obman
(No matter how many threads deception would weave)
pokazhyet lik svyeta istina
(truth will shine through like the light)
Save your tears
for the day
when the pain is far behind
on your feet
come with me
we are soldiers stand or die
Save your fears
take your place
save them for the judgement day
fast and free
follow me
time to make the sacrifice
we rise or fall
I'm a soldier, born to stand
in this waking hell I am
witnessing more than I can compute
pray myself we don't forget
lies, betrayed and the oppressed
please give me the strength to be the truth
people facing the fire together
if we don't, we'll lose all we have found
Save your tears
for the day
when the pain is far behind
on your feet
come with me
we are soldiers stand or die
Save your fears
take your place
save them for the judgement day
fast and free
follow me
time to make the sacrifice
we rise or fall
Za myechtoyu nakray propasti
(After a dream to the edge of a chasm)
Lish' tol'ko tak mozhno mir spasti
(Only that way can the world be saved)
Ty nye plach',
(Don't you cry,)
Slyozy spryach',
(Hide the tears,)
Ved' nastanyet novyy den'
(Because a new day will start)
Tvoy ogon'
(Your fire)
Sogryevat'
(Will warm)
Budyet tysyachi syerdets
(Thousands of hearts)
A syeychas podnimis'
(But now get up)
Spryach' podal'shye bol' i strakh
(Hide the pain and fear far)
Pobyedit tot, kto prav
(The one who's right will win)
Znay, chto vsyo v tvoikh rukakh
(Know that everything is in your hands)
Save your tears
for the day
when the pain is far behind
on your feet
come with me
we're not soldiers, end the lie
Save your fears
take your place
save them for the judgement day
fast and free
follow me
time to make the sacrifice
we rise or fall
(I'm a soldier, meaning that I'm)
I otvyetchik i sud'ya
(Both the defendent and the judge)
Ya stoyu na dvukh kontsakh ognya
(I'm standing on both sides of the fire)
Ogibaya virazhi, obgonyaya smyert' i zhizn'
(Leaning into the curves, outrunning life and death)
Ya byegu srazit'sya s tyen'yu lzhi
(I'm running to fight with the shadow of a lie)
skol'ko b nityey nye plyol obman
(No matter how many threads deception would weave)
pokazhyet lik svyeta istina
(truth will shine through like the light)
Save your tears
for the day
when the pain is far behind
on your feet
come with me
we are soldiers stand or die
Save your fears
take your place
save them for the judgement day
fast and free
follow me
time to make the sacrifice
we rise or fall
I'm a soldier, born to stand
in this waking hell I am
witnessing more than I can compute
pray myself we don't forget
lies, betrayed and the oppressed
please give me the strength to be the truth
people facing the fire together
if we don't, we'll lose all we have found
Save your tears
for the day
when the pain is far behind
on your feet
come with me
we are soldiers stand or die
Save your fears
take your place
save them for the judgement day
fast and free
follow me
time to make the sacrifice
we rise or fall
Za myechtoyu nakray propasti
(After a dream to the edge of a chasm)
Lish' tol'ko tak mozhno mir spasti
(Only that way can the world be saved)
Ty nye plach',
(Don't you cry,)
Slyozy spryach',
(Hide the tears,)
Ved' nastanyet novyy den'
(Because a new day will start)
Tvoy ogon'
(Your fire)
Sogryevat'
(Will warm)
Budyet tysyachi syerdets
(Thousands of hearts)
A syeychas podnimis'
(But now get up)
Spryach' podal'shye bol' i strakh
(Hide the pain and fear far)
Pobyedit tot, kto prav
(The one who's right will win)
Znay, chto vsyo v tvoikh rukakh
(Know that everything is in your hands)
Save your tears
for the day
when the pain is far behind
on your feet
come with me
we're not soldiers, end the lie
Save your fears
take your place
save them for the judgement day
fast and free
follow me
time to make the sacrifice
we rise or fall
Lyrics submitted by deviationer, edited by evgeniy102, dmitryguitar, TokenOracle
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
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Not "cartoon", "anime", silly.
The lyrics to this song are surprisingly deep to be a cartoon series' theme song. But, then again- the cartoon is a pretty deep cartoon series.
I think this song is about the need to stand and fight together for the truth even when lies and oppression surround you make you feel like all you can do is cry.
In the end, if you're right, you'll prevail, and you can finally let your tears flow.
Christianity and faith in the Truth.