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.
We watched them fall.
Eyes locked to mine,
feeling as if I had let them down.
Caught blinded by silk,
led by lips
to the baited chains.
Now look around regret.
As the axe swings before your eyes,
think how everyday we spent dreaming.
Never once did we pick up the sword
and learn to fight.
Now is the time.
Pick yourself up
and fight.
Learn to swing.
Learn to swing.
They watched me fall
for the last time,
but how is such an elegant blade to be stopped?
When in times where eyes set sites
to cross-hair the weak.
My bride,
I'll try, oh so hard,
to find that Light.
But in his mind she baits me
to fire.
What a cunning foe we've met!
Our horizons pushed pages away to a new fight,
A new method, new plan.
But how do I train?
How do you ready a child for war?
Oh what a cunning foe we've met!
The Captain,
what will He send?
I know He will send,
but what will be sent?
I can feel a slip.
A buzzard scrapes nearby,
as I
atop this hill,
stand and scream.
It's all I can do
to control my gaze from the
curiosity
of seeing myself as prey.
And then I heard an armored march!
I heard
an armored march
that shook the trees.
Bows bent as they sang,
"WE ARE THE ARCHERS!"
|
Eyes locked to mine,
feeling as if I had let them down.
Caught blinded by silk,
led by lips
to the baited chains.
Now look around regret.
As the axe swings before your eyes,
think how everyday we spent dreaming.
Never once did we pick up the sword
and learn to fight.
Now is the time.
Pick yourself up
and fight.
Learn to swing.
Learn to swing.
They watched me fall
for the last time,
but how is such an elegant blade to be stopped?
When in times where eyes set sites
to cross-hair the weak.
My bride,
I'll try, oh so hard,
to find that Light.
But in his mind she baits me
to fire.
What a cunning foe we've met!
Our horizons pushed pages away to a new fight,
A new method, new plan.
But how do I train?
How do you ready a child for war?
Oh what a cunning foe we've met!
The Captain,
what will He send?
I know He will send,
but what will be sent?
I can feel a slip.
A buzzard scrapes nearby,
as I
atop this hill,
stand and scream.
It's all I can do
to control my gaze from the
curiosity
of seeing myself as prey.
And then I heard an armored march!
I heard
an armored march
that shook the trees.
Bows bent as they sang,
"WE ARE THE ARCHERS!"
|
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kotjy, this song is about war, but i definitely think it's a metaphor. he's talking about how he's at war with himself and every time temptation enters he is not strong enough, so he calls on God (his archer) for backup and support to defeat the urge.