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.
the natural cards revolve ever changing
seeded elsewhere planted in the garden fair grow trees, grow trees
tongues of the sheer wind
setting you foot where the sand is untrodden,
the ocean that only begins
listen a woman with a bulldozer built this house now
carving away the mountain whose name is your childhood home
we were trying to buy it buy it buy it
someone was found killed there all bones bones dry bones
earth water fire and air
met together in a garden fair
put in a basket bound with skin
if you answer this riddle
you'll never begin
born in a house where the doors shut tight
shadowy fingers on the curtains at night
cherry tree blossom head high snow
a busy main road where I wasn't to go
I used to sit on the garden wall
say hello to people going by so tall
hallo to the postman's stubbly skin
hallo to the baker's stubbly grin
mrs thompson gave me a bear
brigitte and some people lived upstairs
skating on happy valley pond
various ministers and guards stood around
the ice was nice hallo the invisible brethren
and there was a tent you played cards with the
soldiers in, don't worry we won't send anyone
after you they screamed
but me and licorice saw the last of them one
misty twisty day
across the mournful morning moor motoring away
singing ladybird, ladybird what is your wish
your wish is not granted unless it's a fish
your wish is not granted unless it's a dish
a fish on a dish is that what you wish
earth water fire and air
met together in a garden fair
put in a basket bound with skin
if you answer this riddle
you'll never begin
seeded elsewhere planted in the garden fair grow trees, grow trees
tongues of the sheer wind
setting you foot where the sand is untrodden,
the ocean that only begins
listen a woman with a bulldozer built this house now
carving away the mountain whose name is your childhood home
we were trying to buy it buy it buy it
someone was found killed there all bones bones dry bones
earth water fire and air
met together in a garden fair
put in a basket bound with skin
if you answer this riddle
you'll never begin
born in a house where the doors shut tight
shadowy fingers on the curtains at night
cherry tree blossom head high snow
a busy main road where I wasn't to go
I used to sit on the garden wall
say hello to people going by so tall
hallo to the postman's stubbly skin
hallo to the baker's stubbly grin
mrs thompson gave me a bear
brigitte and some people lived upstairs
skating on happy valley pond
various ministers and guards stood around
the ice was nice hallo the invisible brethren
and there was a tent you played cards with the
soldiers in, don't worry we won't send anyone
after you they screamed
but me and licorice saw the last of them one
misty twisty day
across the mournful morning moor motoring away
singing ladybird, ladybird what is your wish
your wish is not granted unless it's a fish
your wish is not granted unless it's a dish
a fish on a dish is that what you wish
earth water fire and air
met together in a garden fair
put in a basket bound with skin
if you answer this riddle
you'll never begin
Lyrics submitted by hybrid_rainbow
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