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.
You’re the one who ran in the wild ‘cause
You’re the one the wild called
And you’re the one who followed the child
To save the sun from how it falls
You’re the one who had knives
Set aside for the throats of hunters
But they tricked you with a trinket and a name
+ I’m the one who sat at your capture
+ I’m the one who whispered low
That’s the one who followed the child to save the son
And look–it’s starting to snow!
Whoah-oh-oh-ho-oh…
You’re the one who’s riding about on a leopard.
You’re the one who’s throwing the shiv in the air!
You’re the one whose wild hide will weather
In the weathering days to a leather
Made for princes to lay their princely heads of hair
Upon the end of your feral days
Upon the end of your feral days
Upon the end of your feral days
Oh-oh-oh
You’re the one who ran in the wild a virgin to a name;
You’re the one who lived off a forsaken land.
I’m the one who sat at your capture
And let the snow fall on this whispering rapture
You’re the one who’s kissing your captor’s hands
“Well shit, I know we’re all growing old.
But where there’s a will, there is a way
So way to go.”
Say goodbye to your feral days.
Say goodbye to your feral days.
Say goodbye–bye-bye-bye
‘Cause you’re the one who’s riding around on a leopard; (ba-da-dum)
You’re the one who’s throwing dead birds in the air.
And you’re the one whose wild hide will weather
In the weathering days to a leather, made soft,
So princes can lay down their princely white heads! OF HAIR!
Say goodbye…
Say goodbye to your feral days.
Say goodbye–bye-bye-bye.
Your highness is holding your chains.
You’re the one the wild called
And you’re the one who followed the child
To save the sun from how it falls
You’re the one who had knives
Set aside for the throats of hunters
But they tricked you with a trinket and a name
+ I’m the one who sat at your capture
+ I’m the one who whispered low
That’s the one who followed the child to save the son
And look–it’s starting to snow!
Whoah-oh-oh-ho-oh…
You’re the one who’s riding about on a leopard.
You’re the one who’s throwing the shiv in the air!
You’re the one whose wild hide will weather
In the weathering days to a leather
Made for princes to lay their princely heads of hair
Upon the end of your feral days
Upon the end of your feral days
Upon the end of your feral days
Oh-oh-oh
You’re the one who ran in the wild a virgin to a name;
You’re the one who lived off a forsaken land.
I’m the one who sat at your capture
And let the snow fall on this whispering rapture
You’re the one who’s kissing your captor’s hands
“Well shit, I know we’re all growing old.
But where there’s a will, there is a way
So way to go.”
Say goodbye to your feral days.
Say goodbye to your feral days.
Say goodbye–bye-bye-bye
‘Cause you’re the one who’s riding around on a leopard; (ba-da-dum)
You’re the one who’s throwing dead birds in the air.
And you’re the one whose wild hide will weather
In the weathering days to a leather, made soft,
So princes can lay down their princely white heads! OF HAIR!
Say goodbye…
Say goodbye to your feral days.
Say goodbye–bye-bye-bye.
Your highness is holding your chains.
Lyrics submitted by sidelines, edited by brumbles, smileyoureontv
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sounds to me like the narrator saved a wild woman from execution by accusing someone else of her crime, but she reciprocates by running off with the king (or someone of royal blood, "kissing your captor's hand" and then "your highness is holding your chains").
there are some lyrics errors also. esp in the first part, where it should be "wild hide will weather, in the weathering days to wear leather made soft so princes can lay . . ." (same with later on in the song).
she was planning to kill someone, but then she was captured with a trinket and a name (they told her they knew someone she knew, maybe had one of that person's possessions? maybe the narrator on both counts?).
...ryan