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.
Let's say theoretically that you're a patriot who wakes up
one morning and realizes his government has been overtaken
by liars, incompetents and thieves - are you gonna stand up like
Patrick Henry, or just get baked watching Patrick The Starfish?
Are you ready? When things are falling apart
You gotta keep your body moving if the news is getting dark
'Cause no solution can come from moping around
Keep your head above the water and your heart on holy ground
My constitution is forged from Carnegie Steel
Ellis Island, Rosa Parks, America for real
So are you ready to pull your boots on and ride?
Suck it up and slug it out, don't sit and let it slide
Don't let nobody tell you you can't wave your flag and cheer
Say what you think today, don't wait until next year
Are you ready? United people have clout
My fingers push this pencil, but our fist can take 'em out
Our solution depends on how much you care
Are you really gonna fight, or just pretend that you were there?
Our constitution is more than paper and ink
Be there to defend it when it's had too much to drink
So are you ready to stand and sober it up?
The winds of change are flammable and ready to erupt
Don't let nobody tell you you can't fix the stuff that stings
The Liberty Bell may be cracked, but it's loud and it still rings
Are you ready to stop just running your yap?
Stand up like you mean it, put your body in the gap
'Cause no solution can come from being afraid
Of all the filthy maggots getting fat and getting paid
Our constitution is worth my life to defend
Any traitor in the driver's seat must suffer for his sin
So are you ready to fix our government's past?
Don't be your daddy's Democrat, YOU KICK 'EM IN THE ASS!
Yeah, are you ready?
one morning and realizes his government has been overtaken
by liars, incompetents and thieves - are you gonna stand up like
Patrick Henry, or just get baked watching Patrick The Starfish?
Are you ready? When things are falling apart
You gotta keep your body moving if the news is getting dark
'Cause no solution can come from moping around
Keep your head above the water and your heart on holy ground
My constitution is forged from Carnegie Steel
Ellis Island, Rosa Parks, America for real
So are you ready to pull your boots on and ride?
Suck it up and slug it out, don't sit and let it slide
Don't let nobody tell you you can't wave your flag and cheer
Say what you think today, don't wait until next year
Are you ready? United people have clout
My fingers push this pencil, but our fist can take 'em out
Our solution depends on how much you care
Are you really gonna fight, or just pretend that you were there?
Our constitution is more than paper and ink
Be there to defend it when it's had too much to drink
So are you ready to stand and sober it up?
The winds of change are flammable and ready to erupt
Don't let nobody tell you you can't fix the stuff that stings
The Liberty Bell may be cracked, but it's loud and it still rings
Are you ready to stop just running your yap?
Stand up like you mean it, put your body in the gap
'Cause no solution can come from being afraid
Of all the filthy maggots getting fat and getting paid
Our constitution is worth my life to defend
Any traitor in the driver's seat must suffer for his sin
So are you ready to fix our government's past?
Don't be your daddy's Democrat, YOU KICK 'EM IN THE ASS!
Yeah, are you ready?
Lyrics submitted by RecoveringPain
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