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.
Darling i've been down and out
ever since you left town
I aint been the same no matter how i try
sometimes we dont get to choose
the ones who wear these walking shoes
I'm just a poor boy with the blues
no I ain't nothin new
I'm gonna fill this whiskey cup
and i'm gonna pick this banjo up
I'm gonna play with the tragedies
singing good time harmonies
B Wright dont you let me down
play that one called sad clown
You know that ones about me
I've been thinking about leaving town
Well sunshine she came out today
and it dont matter anyways
cuz i still see the water
thats drippin down my door
i used to hear the children play
i used to hear the birds sing
one day they just stopped
i dont hear them anymore
I'm gonna fill this whiskey cup
and i'm gonna pick this banjo up
I'm gonna play with the tragedies
singing good time harmonies
B Wright dont you let me down
play that one called sad clown
You know that ones about me
I've been thinking about leaving town
Oh and i got caught in this whistling wind
doin my best to regret these sins
Lord would you forgive me if you know that i'm gonna do it again
its not that i'm not sorry Lord, its just that im not strong
oh cuz when that woman looks at me i cant remember right from wrong
I'm gonna fill this whiskey cup
and i'm gonna pick this banjo up
I'm gonna play with the tragedies
singing good time harmonies
B Wright dont you let me down
play that one called sad clown
You know that ones about me
I've been thinking about leaving town
Sad clown, sad clown
watch the wheels roll around
take that money into town
go buy a drink
sad clown, sad clown
always with that same frown
circus train got you down,
you're thinking bout leaving town
ever since you left town
I aint been the same no matter how i try
sometimes we dont get to choose
the ones who wear these walking shoes
I'm just a poor boy with the blues
no I ain't nothin new
I'm gonna fill this whiskey cup
and i'm gonna pick this banjo up
I'm gonna play with the tragedies
singing good time harmonies
B Wright dont you let me down
play that one called sad clown
You know that ones about me
I've been thinking about leaving town
Well sunshine she came out today
and it dont matter anyways
cuz i still see the water
thats drippin down my door
i used to hear the children play
i used to hear the birds sing
one day they just stopped
i dont hear them anymore
I'm gonna fill this whiskey cup
and i'm gonna pick this banjo up
I'm gonna play with the tragedies
singing good time harmonies
B Wright dont you let me down
play that one called sad clown
You know that ones about me
I've been thinking about leaving town
Oh and i got caught in this whistling wind
doin my best to regret these sins
Lord would you forgive me if you know that i'm gonna do it again
its not that i'm not sorry Lord, its just that im not strong
oh cuz when that woman looks at me i cant remember right from wrong
I'm gonna fill this whiskey cup
and i'm gonna pick this banjo up
I'm gonna play with the tragedies
singing good time harmonies
B Wright dont you let me down
play that one called sad clown
You know that ones about me
I've been thinking about leaving town
Sad clown, sad clown
watch the wheels roll around
take that money into town
go buy a drink
sad clown, sad clown
always with that same frown
circus train got you down,
you're thinking bout leaving town
Lyrics submitted by DeannaBean
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A song about struggling to live with our regrets, or with the people we have hurt. Wanting to leave town and start a new life somewhere else cuz he is dissatisfied with the way life has panned out for him in his current town. "It's not that Im not sorry, its just that Im not strong" - such rugged honestly about the temptation that has plagued men since Eden. Somehow whiskey and the banjo are his only escape, however temporary their comfort, they're usually welcome.
Rugged honesty is right on. I love how he says "i'm just a poor boy with the blues, no i aint nothin new". Most heartbroken people think theirs is the only one yet he's self aware enough to know heartache has been around forever. Such great song.