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 was standing on the stop
thinking of humanity
when you came along so righteous with a new national hate
so convincing is the ardor of war and of men
it's harder to breathe than to believe you're a friend
you stick me in the back with a sideways smile
unity's the front of a gang mentality
you're trying to burn the ashes
but they won't catch fire
while reason is coagulating in the mire
as the final poor man's carcass washes up on my shore
i don't know much but i know that wars begets more war
are you willing to wait?
for another watergate?
this national uproar's got me in surrender
fear is the sender
cuz the whole wide world is watching
but no one's doin anything
the whole wide world is watching
we justify the enemy
how unpopular it seems to be persuasive for peace
i got a mind full of destruction-
but it's only for me
like a wedding vow i speak the word: equality
but alas i feel that everyone is stronger than me
you know that i was born against the O.I.A.
(opression, ignorance, & authority)
but that is nothing new if you've heard what i say
as the mahatma sheds a tear, buried so deep underground
we continue to uphold the men who keep us down
are you willing to die
for a president-sized lie?
for a man you've never met?
why ask why?
we stick our brother
while the whole wide world is watching
all we are
and dreams to be
come to pass,
it won't, you'll see
should the land we claim to be
chain the world so we are free
though i try to see
i'm blinded by the light in front of me
are we doomed to stumble on and to repeat?
well so it seems
thinking of humanity
when you came along so righteous with a new national hate
so convincing is the ardor of war and of men
it's harder to breathe than to believe you're a friend
you stick me in the back with a sideways smile
unity's the front of a gang mentality
you're trying to burn the ashes
but they won't catch fire
while reason is coagulating in the mire
as the final poor man's carcass washes up on my shore
i don't know much but i know that wars begets more war
are you willing to wait?
for another watergate?
this national uproar's got me in surrender
fear is the sender
cuz the whole wide world is watching
but no one's doin anything
the whole wide world is watching
we justify the enemy
how unpopular it seems to be persuasive for peace
i got a mind full of destruction-
but it's only for me
like a wedding vow i speak the word: equality
but alas i feel that everyone is stronger than me
you know that i was born against the O.I.A.
(opression, ignorance, & authority)
but that is nothing new if you've heard what i say
as the mahatma sheds a tear, buried so deep underground
we continue to uphold the men who keep us down
are you willing to die
for a president-sized lie?
for a man you've never met?
why ask why?
we stick our brother
while the whole wide world is watching
all we are
and dreams to be
come to pass,
it won't, you'll see
should the land we claim to be
chain the world so we are free
though i try to see
i'm blinded by the light in front of me
are we doomed to stumble on and to repeat?
well so it seems
Lyrics submitted by seanyboges666
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i cant believe only one guy has commented on this song. this is one of my favorite songs of all time. i just wish there were more morning glory songs like it. ;[
as for the meaning, its pretty self explanatory. basically "the cause" is getting a little old now, and he's kinda fed up that nothing anyone does seems to have any real effect on the world. It just seems like everyone's watching the events of the world, and then going about their business. "are we doomed to stumble on and to repeat? so it seems" that about sums it up.