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 furies are at home in the mirror, it is their address. Even the clearest water if deep enough can drown"
Hatred made a final stand
He felt some strength he made some plans
He looked at love the battle lost
Like the charge of the light brigade
Or a bitter twisted Thatcherite
This is my last crusade
No one is listening anyway
Speak in tongues and language lost
I found alchemy and I found trust
The grass has covered all the scars
A last crusade a last hurrah
From the bottom of your heart
You've had you say you've played your part
If only hate were generous
And not this mass of emptiness
This is my last crusade
To rid this land of hipocrisey
To lay down bare the miserable truth
Of vanity and greed inside you
This is my last crusade
The greatest thing I ever said
But crusades are doomed to fail
Leaving me all alone again
Hatred made a final stand
He felt some strength he made some plans
He looked at love the battle lost
Like the charge of the light brigade
Or a bitter twisted Thatcherite
This is my last crusade
No one is listening anyway
Speak in tongues and language lost
I found alchemy and I found trust
The grass has covered all the scars
A last crusade a last hurrah
From the bottom of your heart
You've had you say you've played your part
If only hate were generous
And not this mass of emptiness
This is my last crusade
To rid this land of hipocrisey
To lay down bare the miserable truth
Of vanity and greed inside you
This is my last crusade
The greatest thing I ever said
But crusades are doomed to fail
Leaving me all alone again
Lyrics submitted by Colonel Kurtz
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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.
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I feel like a nigel!!!!!!