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.
And I was a middle son
Between two wayward ones
I was more deserving of my parent's love
I had an angel's smile
Hiding a vulture?s bite
I had no use for Your redeeming blood
Aren't I glory, glorious?
Glory, glorious
Aren't we glory, glorious?
Aren't we worthy, worthy of
Hearts at our feet?
?Cause I was a Pharisee
I never saw my need for grace
Then your love, it came to me
Stood next to mine
And I saw that I was poor
It showed me I was poor
Show us, we are
Show us, we are
Glory, glorious
We are glory, glorious
Not from what good we have done
But from being the least
Glory, glorious
We are glory, glorious
Not from what good we have done
But from being the least
Glory, glorious
Glory, glorious
Oh, I don't know
How I was made
My heaven tower sways
Atop their fleeting praise
God, I don't know
How I was made
Glory, glorious
Are we glory, glorious?
Are we worthy, worthy of
Hearts at our feet?
Glory, glorious
We are glory, glorious
Not from what we've done
But being the least
I was a wicked one
Between two wayward ones
I was more deserving of my parent's love
I had an angel's smile
Hiding a vulture?s bite
I had no use for Your redeeming blood
Aren't I glory, glorious?
Glory, glorious
Aren't we glory, glorious?
Aren't we worthy, worthy of
Hearts at our feet?
?Cause I was a Pharisee
I never saw my need for grace
Then your love, it came to me
Stood next to mine
And I saw that I was poor
It showed me I was poor
Show us, we are
Show us, we are
Glory, glorious
We are glory, glorious
Not from what good we have done
But from being the least
Glory, glorious
We are glory, glorious
Not from what good we have done
But from being the least
Glory, glorious
Glory, glorious
Oh, I don't know
How I was made
My heaven tower sways
Atop their fleeting praise
God, I don't know
How I was made
Glory, glorious
Are we glory, glorious?
Are we worthy, worthy of
Hearts at our feet?
Glory, glorious
We are glory, glorious
Not from what we've done
But being the least
I was a wicked one
Lyrics submitted by ourpalaceofsnow
Empire Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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This song is about thinking you have it all, and then realizing you don't.
At first he said he had everything. He was the good kid in his parents' eyes, he had the smile of an angel on the outside, but on the inside he was evil (and probably didnt know it, "hiding a vulture's bite").
Then he says he has it all, he doesn't need God - he has all the glory in himself he needs. basically we are our own gods (hearts at OUR feet).
After that, it says he was blind (a pharisee), never seeing his need for Grace. then he found it and realized what he had been missing out.
Then it says "Glory, glorious. We are glory, glorious. Not for what good we have done, but for being the least (glorious, God is much more glorious)."
love this song...