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.
Heat haze rising on hell's own hill
To wake up this morning is an act of will
Walk through the night to get here today
To bring your children, to give them away
Oh, oh, this cruel sun, is daylight never done?
Cruelty just begun to make a shadow of everyone
And if the rain came
And if the rain came now
Souls bent over without a breeze
Blankets on burning trees
I am sick without disease
Nobility on it's knees
And if the rain came
And if the rain came, now
Would it wash us all away on a wave of sorrow?
Wave, wave of sorrow
Where now the holy cities? Where are the ancient holy scrolls?
Where now Emperor Menelek and Queen of Sheba's gold?
You, my bride wear a crown, on your finger, precious stone
As every good thing now been sold
Son, of shepherd boy, now king
What wisdom can you bring?
What lyric could you sing?
Where is the music of the Seraphim?
And if the rain came
And if the rain came, now
Would it wash us all away, on a wave of sorrow?
Wave, on a wave of sorrow, wave
Blessed are the meek who scratch in the dirt
For they shall inherit what's left of the earth
Blessed are the kings who have left their thrones
They are blessed in this valley of dry bones
Blessed all of you with an empty heart
For you have nothing from which you cannot part
Blessed is the ego if it's all we got this hour
Blessed is the voice that speaks truth to power
Blessed is the sex worker's body sold tonight
She works for what she's got to save her children's life
Blessed are the deaf who cannot hear a scream
Blessed are the stupid who can dream
Blessed are the tin can, cardboard slums
And blessed is the spirit that overcomes
To wake up this morning is an act of will
Walk through the night to get here today
To bring your children, to give them away
Oh, oh, this cruel sun, is daylight never done?
Cruelty just begun to make a shadow of everyone
And if the rain came
And if the rain came now
Souls bent over without a breeze
Blankets on burning trees
I am sick without disease
Nobility on it's knees
And if the rain came
And if the rain came, now
Would it wash us all away on a wave of sorrow?
Wave, wave of sorrow
Where now the holy cities? Where are the ancient holy scrolls?
Where now Emperor Menelek and Queen of Sheba's gold?
You, my bride wear a crown, on your finger, precious stone
As every good thing now been sold
Son, of shepherd boy, now king
What wisdom can you bring?
What lyric could you sing?
Where is the music of the Seraphim?
And if the rain came
And if the rain came, now
Would it wash us all away, on a wave of sorrow?
Wave, on a wave of sorrow, wave
Blessed are the meek who scratch in the dirt
For they shall inherit what's left of the earth
Blessed are the kings who have left their thrones
They are blessed in this valley of dry bones
Blessed all of you with an empty heart
For you have nothing from which you cannot part
Blessed is the ego if it's all we got this hour
Blessed is the voice that speaks truth to power
Blessed is the sex worker's body sold tonight
She works for what she's got to save her children's life
Blessed are the deaf who cannot hear a scream
Blessed are the stupid who can dream
Blessed are the tin can, cardboard slums
And blessed is the spirit that overcomes
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