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.
The night left you dirty
a grudge your hangover
First day back in the light
use the crowd as your cover
Don't know why you would come
don't see how you're undone
don't see rust, any dust,
what you need never us
what's the loss that you brought
what's the need you need healed
if not family why pray, if not money why kneel
must have got lonesome at home on your porcelain shrine
now you're out and about, test if you're still alive
widow, drop those bones
I know you were never alone
so you come take your seat
in the pew by the door
soprano, and you pray
break your bread
then you leave
didn't think that you made it when you opened your eyes
thought you died while on top of the funeral pyre
now the teeth and the fleas buried under your skin
and handshakes are falling like blades at your chin
widow, drop those bones
I know you were never alone
willow, brittle from snow
drops slow to the mud below and the dew
from the grass
on the grave
you wake up on
dries up
as you start the mourning
and the ash
petrified
on the tips
of your lashes
wiped away
by an unseen hand
turn you around
lay down your crown
knock down the tables
and follow the singing out
singing out
the night left you dirty
a grudge, your hangover
first day back in the light
use the crowd as your cover
a grudge your hangover
First day back in the light
use the crowd as your cover
Don't know why you would come
don't see how you're undone
don't see rust, any dust,
what you need never us
what's the loss that you brought
what's the need you need healed
if not family why pray, if not money why kneel
must have got lonesome at home on your porcelain shrine
now you're out and about, test if you're still alive
widow, drop those bones
I know you were never alone
so you come take your seat
in the pew by the door
soprano, and you pray
break your bread
then you leave
didn't think that you made it when you opened your eyes
thought you died while on top of the funeral pyre
now the teeth and the fleas buried under your skin
and handshakes are falling like blades at your chin
widow, drop those bones
I know you were never alone
willow, brittle from snow
drops slow to the mud below and the dew
from the grass
on the grave
you wake up on
dries up
as you start the mourning
and the ash
petrified
on the tips
of your lashes
wiped away
by an unseen hand
turn you around
lay down your crown
knock down the tables
and follow the singing out
singing out
the night left you dirty
a grudge, your hangover
first day back in the light
use the crowd as your cover
Lyrics submitted by a scar in the sky
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