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.
To the haters, the takers, the liars, all the vultures and the bottom feeding scum
The FCC, the FBI and every tin god with a badge and a gun
You talk and talk, you preach and bitch but your words don't mean a thing
You get what you give, you give what you get
Just the way it's always been
I choose death before dishonor
I'd rather die than live down on my knees
Bury me like a soldier, with my dignity!
You imitate the ostracized, put your head beneath the sand
Your cup it runneth over, must be rough to live so grand
You reap what you sew, you pay what you owe unless you bathe yourself in greed
You rob and you take, your world is fake
There's no honor amongst the thieves
I choose death before dishonor
I'd rather die than live down on my knees
Bury me like a soldier, with my dignity!
Fuck!
You're self righteous, self pretentious
Your ways are not for me
You're deluded, so confused
Your world I dominate
I choose death before dishonor
I'd rather die than live down on my knees
Bury me like a soldier
Bury me! (Bury me!)
Bury me! (Bury me!)
Bury me!
With my dignity!
The FCC, the FBI and every tin god with a badge and a gun
You talk and talk, you preach and bitch but your words don't mean a thing
You get what you give, you give what you get
Just the way it's always been
I choose death before dishonor
I'd rather die than live down on my knees
Bury me like a soldier, with my dignity!
You imitate the ostracized, put your head beneath the sand
Your cup it runneth over, must be rough to live so grand
You reap what you sew, you pay what you owe unless you bathe yourself in greed
You rob and you take, your world is fake
There's no honor amongst the thieves
I choose death before dishonor
I'd rather die than live down on my knees
Bury me like a soldier, with my dignity!
Fuck!
You're self righteous, self pretentious
Your ways are not for me
You're deluded, so confused
Your world I dominate
I choose death before dishonor
I'd rather die than live down on my knees
Bury me like a soldier
Bury me! (Bury me!)
Bury me! (Bury me!)
Bury me!
With my dignity!
Lyrics submitted by fallen_sunset
Death Before Dishonor Lyrics as written by Jeremy Spencer Ivan Moody
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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He is saying that he would rather die than dishonor himself by being censored and kept quit. at least thats my way of looking at it.
personally, i am the same way.
Okay this song is my theme song ... the title says it "Death Before Dishonor".
More and more I see people cheating, and lying and such to succeed, and it sickens me (hell this is why we are in the economic crisis ... don't believe me, watch the movie "Inside Job"). Thank god someone sees in living by an honor code. Doing what's right and earning what they deserve fair and square.
I fight to live by an honor code, and I make sure others know it.
So I say it "Death Before Dishonor"
Just saw them in concert (it was almost a 13 hr day for their 90 minutes .. so worth it) but I was pissed ... they didn't sing this song
if you have ever been to a ffdp show when ever they play this song they dedicate it to the military
plus i know alot of marines and death before dishonor is like there motto now (not the legit "semper fi" one though)
I totally agree with darkfire0215. if you have ever seen them live before they play this song they dedicate it to the military. I was with my younger brother at the show who had just gotten back from iraq and it touched him in a way i don't think anyone could understand unless they have served there country.
looks like it.
this could jus tbe that i just listened to salvation but couldnt it be saying that he would rather die than being on his knees worshiping god?? idk I thik about religion too much I guess lol
yeah thos song is dedicated for the milititaries in north america, hes saying that they die with honour unlike some of us who do jack all and just die of old age while these men fight wars and risk there lives for us...great song :D really influences me to keep on my path to the canadian forces
Your world I DOMINATE
I could have sworn they were singing "there's no honor amongst the Feds" rather than "there's no honor amongst the thieves." Oh, well.
I would rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6. I would rather die any type of death before I bring dishonor to myself. With being prior military and as most of their songs are a honor to the military and the service members past, present and future. Its a way of life, everyone needs to have that code. If you respect care or want respect you need to honor that. you have to understand that there is always something bigger than yourself.