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.
In the gloom, the gathering storm abates
In the ships, gimlet eyes await
The call to arms to hammer at the gates
To blow them wide throw evil to its fate
All summers long, the drills to build the machine
To turn men from flesh and blood to steel
From paper soldiers to bodies on the beach
From summer sands to Armageddon's reach
Overlord, your master not your God
The enemy coast dawning grey with scud
These wretched souls, puking, shaking fear
To take a bullet for those who sent them here
The world's alight
The cliffs erupt in flame
No escape, remorseless shrapnel rains
Drowning men no chance for a warrior's fate
A choking death, enter Hell's gates
Sliding we go
Only fear on our side
To the edge of the wire
And we rush with the tide
Oh, the water is red
With the blood of the dead
Oh, but I'm still alive
Pray to God I survive
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
The rising dead, faces bloated torn
They are relieved, the living wait their turn
Your number's up, the bullet's got your name
You still go on, to Hell and back again
Valhalla waits
Valkyries rise and fall
The warrior tombs, lie open for us all
A ghostly hand reaches through the veil
Blood and sand, we will prevail
Sliding we go
Only fear on our side
To the edge of the wire
And we rush with the tide
Oh, the water is red
With the blood of the dead
But I'm still alive
Pray to God I survive
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
In the ships, gimlet eyes await
The call to arms to hammer at the gates
To blow them wide throw evil to its fate
All summers long, the drills to build the machine
To turn men from flesh and blood to steel
From paper soldiers to bodies on the beach
From summer sands to Armageddon's reach
Overlord, your master not your God
The enemy coast dawning grey with scud
These wretched souls, puking, shaking fear
To take a bullet for those who sent them here
The world's alight
The cliffs erupt in flame
No escape, remorseless shrapnel rains
Drowning men no chance for a warrior's fate
A choking death, enter Hell's gates
Sliding we go
Only fear on our side
To the edge of the wire
And we rush with the tide
Oh, the water is red
With the blood of the dead
Oh, but I'm still alive
Pray to God I survive
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
The rising dead, faces bloated torn
They are relieved, the living wait their turn
Your number's up, the bullet's got your name
You still go on, to Hell and back again
Valhalla waits
Valkyries rise and fall
The warrior tombs, lie open for us all
A ghostly hand reaches through the veil
Blood and sand, we will prevail
Sliding we go
Only fear on our side
To the edge of the wire
And we rush with the tide
Oh, the water is red
With the blood of the dead
But I'm still alive
Pray to God I survive
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
How long on this longest day
'Til we finally make it through?
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Dont't get me wrong, war is a bad thing. But we're damn good at it.