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.
Well this here’s the story of Samuel Donbay
A man like any other at the end of a long day
Guts and muscles and maybe a little more
He worked as a grave digger after the civil war
Miles around competition burned with the deepest rage
The work was hard and Sam did it for the cheapest wage
Seemed that the other Man’s shoes didn’t fit him
When he was out working the others were out to get him
They called him indestructible Sam,
He promised he would die with a shovel in his hands
That’s right, they called him indestructible Sam
He promised he would die with a shovel in his hands
Diggin’ all day Sam’s pockets got richer
But the others were wishing he was out of the picture
So late one night some of the competition went to see Doctor Beauregard a local magician
They asked if he could help put things in reverse
They pooled all their money for a fifty dollar curse
Next morning at work was a commotion
Digging a grave Sam heard an explosion
Followed by a moaning, cursing and mumbling
From the nearby bushes a figure came stumbling
Sam shrugged his shoulders and surveyed the damages
Later Dr Beauregard was seen wearing bandages
Worse for wear he wasn’t taking suggestion
Said he’d hex anyone that asked him any questions
The coast wasn’t clear trouble kept lurking
The others kept scheming and Sam kept working
They called him indestructible Sam,
He promised he would die with a shovel in his hands
That’s right, they called him indestructible Sam
He promised he would die with a shovel in his hands
The other gravediggers lamented their blown chance
Decided to take matters into their own hands
Thoughts full of poison and making a trap
They blew up the shed where Sam was taking a nap
The others were astonished and totally annoyed
Cause Sam walked away while the shed was destroyed
Next they tied him up and they were sure that they got him when they threw him in a lake and watched him sink to the bottom
Below and behold and to the others dismay
Sam was back at work again the very next day
They burned his house down to the ground they were possessed
And when that didn’t work they finally shot him in the chest
So hold your head low and fly the flag half mast
But it was actually Samuel who had the last laugh
He recovered again, lord be praised
He lived to be a hundred and dug the others graves
They called him indestructible Sam,
He promised he would die with a shovel in his hands
That’s right, they called him indestructible Sam
He promised he would die with a shovel in his hands
And he did
They called him indestructible Sam,
He promised he would die with a shovel in his hands
That’s right, they called him indestructible Sam
And he died with a shovel in his hands
And this is an even true song
It was wrote on account of old Sam workin’ so hard
And I reckon that’s how it 'ought to be
A man like any other at the end of a long day
Guts and muscles and maybe a little more
He worked as a grave digger after the civil war
Miles around competition burned with the deepest rage
The work was hard and Sam did it for the cheapest wage
Seemed that the other Man’s shoes didn’t fit him
When he was out working the others were out to get him
They called him indestructible Sam,
He promised he would die with a shovel in his hands
That’s right, they called him indestructible Sam
He promised he would die with a shovel in his hands
Diggin’ all day Sam’s pockets got richer
But the others were wishing he was out of the picture
So late one night some of the competition went to see Doctor Beauregard a local magician
They asked if he could help put things in reverse
They pooled all their money for a fifty dollar curse
Next morning at work was a commotion
Digging a grave Sam heard an explosion
Followed by a moaning, cursing and mumbling
From the nearby bushes a figure came stumbling
Sam shrugged his shoulders and surveyed the damages
Later Dr Beauregard was seen wearing bandages
Worse for wear he wasn’t taking suggestion
Said he’d hex anyone that asked him any questions
The coast wasn’t clear trouble kept lurking
The others kept scheming and Sam kept working
They called him indestructible Sam,
He promised he would die with a shovel in his hands
That’s right, they called him indestructible Sam
He promised he would die with a shovel in his hands
The other gravediggers lamented their blown chance
Decided to take matters into their own hands
Thoughts full of poison and making a trap
They blew up the shed where Sam was taking a nap
The others were astonished and totally annoyed
Cause Sam walked away while the shed was destroyed
Next they tied him up and they were sure that they got him when they threw him in a lake and watched him sink to the bottom
Below and behold and to the others dismay
Sam was back at work again the very next day
They burned his house down to the ground they were possessed
And when that didn’t work they finally shot him in the chest
So hold your head low and fly the flag half mast
But it was actually Samuel who had the last laugh
He recovered again, lord be praised
He lived to be a hundred and dug the others graves
They called him indestructible Sam,
He promised he would die with a shovel in his hands
That’s right, they called him indestructible Sam
He promised he would die with a shovel in his hands
And he did
They called him indestructible Sam,
He promised he would die with a shovel in his hands
That’s right, they called him indestructible Sam
And he died with a shovel in his hands
And this is an even true song
It was wrote on account of old Sam workin’ so hard
And I reckon that’s how it 'ought to be
Lyrics submitted by Stingray#019
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The banjo in this song is wicked. Love buck 65! He has the deepest, coolest speaking voice too.