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’ve been looking for a place to rest your burden
Somewhere you don’t have to feel so all alone
You’ve been fighting through this battle of uncertainty
‘Cause that’s the only thing you’ve ever known
But if you let it all rise anyway, that shame that overtakes you
All those broken wounds that never seem to heal
Yeah even when you’re covered by that fear that tries to break you
Yeah well I would love you still
I’ve been sleeping through the hours of the daytime
I’ve been wandering through the shadows of the night
I’ve been closing all my petals in the springtime
And when the leaves fall I hold on tight
My mind is like that city air that’s so polluted
And I’ve been looking for a shelter or a cure
Still even when our crooked lives are convoluted
I know deep inside we’re pure
And like the tumbling of a waterfall
There’s no way that I can catch it all
But I’ll be hoping for a few sweet drops
Of reawakening that never stops
‘Cause we are broken we are shattered souls
But it’s our emptiness that makes us whole
Just the way we are
You’re make-believing that your life don’t start ‘til after
Every flower of your spirit is in bloom
But in the meantime there’s playfulness and laughter
And there’s dancing ‘neath the glowing of the moon
So let the earth do it’s spinning and let the leaves do their fading
Let them slip into the breathing of the wind
And let your spirit’s windows open ‘cause there’s beauty out there waiting
Just for you to let it in
And like the tumbling of a waterfall
There’s no way that I can catch it all
But I’ll be hoping for a few sweet drops
Of reawakening that never stops
‘Cause we are broken we are shattered souls
But it’s our emptiness that makes us whole
Just the way we are
You’ve climbed the highest mountains, still the freedom you’re expecting
It don’t come from somewhere high up above
You’re tired of overworking, tired of judging and rejecting
‘Cause there’s so much more in empathy and love
So may you open up your doors to the compassion that surrounds you
Always shining warmth and solace on your skin
And if you let that light embrace you then your fear will never drown you
‘Cause I know love will always win
And like the tumbling of a waterfall
There’s no way that I can catch it all
But I’ll be hoping for a few sweet drops
Of reawakening that never stops
‘Cause we are broken we are shattered souls
But it’s our emptiness that makes us whole
Just the way we are
Somewhere you don’t have to feel so all alone
You’ve been fighting through this battle of uncertainty
‘Cause that’s the only thing you’ve ever known
But if you let it all rise anyway, that shame that overtakes you
All those broken wounds that never seem to heal
Yeah even when you’re covered by that fear that tries to break you
Yeah well I would love you still
I’ve been sleeping through the hours of the daytime
I’ve been wandering through the shadows of the night
I’ve been closing all my petals in the springtime
And when the leaves fall I hold on tight
My mind is like that city air that’s so polluted
And I’ve been looking for a shelter or a cure
Still even when our crooked lives are convoluted
I know deep inside we’re pure
And like the tumbling of a waterfall
There’s no way that I can catch it all
But I’ll be hoping for a few sweet drops
Of reawakening that never stops
‘Cause we are broken we are shattered souls
But it’s our emptiness that makes us whole
Just the way we are
You’re make-believing that your life don’t start ‘til after
Every flower of your spirit is in bloom
But in the meantime there’s playfulness and laughter
And there’s dancing ‘neath the glowing of the moon
So let the earth do it’s spinning and let the leaves do their fading
Let them slip into the breathing of the wind
And let your spirit’s windows open ‘cause there’s beauty out there waiting
Just for you to let it in
And like the tumbling of a waterfall
There’s no way that I can catch it all
But I’ll be hoping for a few sweet drops
Of reawakening that never stops
‘Cause we are broken we are shattered souls
But it’s our emptiness that makes us whole
Just the way we are
You’ve climbed the highest mountains, still the freedom you’re expecting
It don’t come from somewhere high up above
You’re tired of overworking, tired of judging and rejecting
‘Cause there’s so much more in empathy and love
So may you open up your doors to the compassion that surrounds you
Always shining warmth and solace on your skin
And if you let that light embrace you then your fear will never drown you
‘Cause I know love will always win
And like the tumbling of a waterfall
There’s no way that I can catch it all
But I’ll be hoping for a few sweet drops
Of reawakening that never stops
‘Cause we are broken we are shattered souls
But it’s our emptiness that makes us whole
Just the way we are
Lyrics submitted by greenchaircircle
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