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.
One day I looked up and there you were
Like a simple question looking for an answer
Now I am the whale listening to some inner call
Swimming blindly to throw myself upon your shore
What if I don't find you when I have landed
Would you leave me here to die on your shore stranded
I think I know why the dog howls at the moon
I think I know why the dog howls at the moon
I sing dela, dela
Ngyanya
Dela
When I'm with you
Dela, sondela mama
Sondela, I burn for you
I've been waiting for you all my life, hoping for a miracle
I've been waiting day and night, day and night
I've been waiting for you all my life, waiting for redemption
I've been waiting day and night, I burn for you
A blind bird sings inside the cage that is my heart
The image of your face comes to me when I'm alone in the dark
If I could give a shape to this ache that I have for you
If I could find the voice that says the words that capture you
I think I know, I think I know
I think I know, I think I know
I think I know why the dog howls at the moon
I think I know why the dog howls at the moon
I sing dela, dela
Ngyanya
Dela
When I'm with you
Dela, sondela mama
Sondela, I burn for you
I've been waiting for you all my life, hoping for a miracle
I've been waiting day and night, day and night
I've been waiting for you all my life, waiting for redemption
I've been waiting day and night, I burn for you
Sondela
Sondela, mama
Sondela, I burn for you
I've been waiting for you all my life, hoping for a miracle
I've been waiting day and night, day and night
I've been waiting for you all my life, waiting for redemption
I've been waiting day and night, I burn for you
Burn for you, I burn for you
Burn for you, I burn for you
Burn for you, I burn for you
Burn for you, I burn for you
Burn for you, I burn for you
Burn for you, I burn for you
Like a simple question looking for an answer
Now I am the whale listening to some inner call
Swimming blindly to throw myself upon your shore
What if I don't find you when I have landed
Would you leave me here to die on your shore stranded
I think I know why the dog howls at the moon
I think I know why the dog howls at the moon
I sing dela, dela
Ngyanya
Dela
When I'm with you
Dela, sondela mama
Sondela, I burn for you
I've been waiting for you all my life, hoping for a miracle
I've been waiting day and night, day and night
I've been waiting for you all my life, waiting for redemption
I've been waiting day and night, I burn for you
A blind bird sings inside the cage that is my heart
The image of your face comes to me when I'm alone in the dark
If I could give a shape to this ache that I have for you
If I could find the voice that says the words that capture you
I think I know, I think I know
I think I know, I think I know
I think I know why the dog howls at the moon
I think I know why the dog howls at the moon
I sing dela, dela
Ngyanya
Dela
When I'm with you
Dela, sondela mama
Sondela, I burn for you
I've been waiting for you all my life, hoping for a miracle
I've been waiting day and night, day and night
I've been waiting for you all my life, waiting for redemption
I've been waiting day and night, I burn for you
Sondela
Sondela, mama
Sondela, I burn for you
I've been waiting for you all my life, hoping for a miracle
I've been waiting day and night, day and night
I've been waiting for you all my life, waiting for redemption
I've been waiting day and night, I burn for you
Burn for you, I burn for you
Burn for you, I burn for you
Burn for you, I burn for you
Burn for you, I burn for you
Burn for you, I burn for you
Burn for you, I burn for you
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