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.
What do you gain from all that you've done
Everything comes to an end
Ages will go and ages will come
And who will remember you then
All that has been it will be again
What has been done will be done
Clouds will return at the end of the rain
And nothing is new, nothing under the sun
What if I build you a house or a park
What if I bought you a slave
Silver and gold and the treasure of kings
With satin to line your grave
As sure as the dust will return to the ground
Your knowledge will soon be gone
As sure as a man should enjoy what he does
Nothing is new, nothing under the sun
So everything is meaningless and so we carry on
Until we face the consequence of everything we've done
Everything comes to an end
Ages will go and ages will come
And who will remember you then
All that has been it will be again
What has been done will be done
Clouds will return at the end of the rain
And nothing is new, nothing under the sun
What if I build you a house or a park
What if I bought you a slave
Silver and gold and the treasure of kings
With satin to line your grave
As sure as the dust will return to the ground
Your knowledge will soon be gone
As sure as a man should enjoy what he does
Nothing is new, nothing under the sun
So everything is meaningless and so we carry on
Until we face the consequence of everything we've done
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