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.
Jesus said to Mary, you really can come
I'm tired, love, and I'm feeling real numb
Gotta see if my father's come
I'm under pressure, while I'm under the sun
Father priest expects me to lead
Leaves is easy, wants me to bleed
I'm scared, light in the fear I'm lost
I won't lie, don't wanna die on no cross
Tracking the streets gotta stay on my feet
Wanna stay and lay with you, you're sweet
[Chorus: x3]
It's not my cross to bear
No, I don't care
When I'm dead, they say I rise again
If I come, will you still be here then
If I run, will you run with me too
We're hiding inside
We find a space for two
Evil friends before we leave
Flatten the sad be careful friends deceived
Free my chains
[Chorus: x3]
Premature, don't wanna die on no cross
When I'm dead, he was my body and fame
Premature, don't wanna die on no cross
When I'm dead, he was my body and fame
[Repeats]
This is not my cross
No, I don't care
I'm tired, love, and I'm feeling real numb
Gotta see if my father's come
I'm under pressure, while I'm under the sun
Father priest expects me to lead
Leaves is easy, wants me to bleed
I'm scared, light in the fear I'm lost
I won't lie, don't wanna die on no cross
Tracking the streets gotta stay on my feet
Wanna stay and lay with you, you're sweet
[Chorus: x3]
It's not my cross to bear
No, I don't care
When I'm dead, they say I rise again
If I come, will you still be here then
If I run, will you run with me too
We're hiding inside
We find a space for two
Evil friends before we leave
Flatten the sad be careful friends deceived
Free my chains
[Chorus: x3]
Premature, don't wanna die on no cross
When I'm dead, he was my body and fame
Premature, don't wanna die on no cross
When I'm dead, he was my body and fame
[Repeats]
This is not my cross
No, I don't care
Lyrics submitted by stentorian
Cross to Bear Lyrics as written by Bernard Joseph Butler Adrian Nicholas Matthew Thaws
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
I think some of the lyrics might not be right...although, I'm not positive that my corrections are right...but I think it should be: Hafdis Huld & Tricky: Jesus said to Mary, you really can come I'm tired, love, and I'm feeling real numb Gotta see if my father's come (gone?) I'm under pressure, while I'm under the sun
Father, priest expects me to lead Leaves, it's easy, wants me to bleed I'm scared, Magdalene and I fear I'm lost I won't lie, don't wanna die on no cross
Track through the streets, with nails in my feet Wanna stay and lay with you, you're sweet
It's not my cross to bear No, I don't care
When I'm dead, they say I rise again If I come, will you still be here then? If I run, will you run with me too? We'll hiding inside And find a space for two
Eat with friends before we leave Madgaline said, "be careful, friends deceive." Free my chains
It's not my cross to bear No, I don't care
Tricky: Premature, don't wanna die on no cross
Hafdis Huld & Tricky: When I'm dead, he wears my body and fame (feet?)
Tricky: Premature, don't wanna die on no cross
Hafdis Huld & Tricky: When I'm dead, he wears my body and fame (feet?)
Tricky: This is not my cross to bear No, I don't care.
I am absolutely in love with this song...to the point that it brought me to tears. I just bought this cd about 2 days ago and I've already listened to this song about 50 times.
I think it's a beautiful view of the human side of Jesus. I'm not particularly religious, but I think this song is to remind us that the story of Jesus is supposed to be more than just about divinity. I think it Hafdis Huld's voice is perfectly angelic here too. Jesus is having a conversation with Mary Magdalene. Although the bible does not interpret it this way, Mary Magdalene just might have been Jesus' best friend and lover. Here, he's telling her that he's scared to be the one with the weight of the world on his shoulders.
I'm under pressure, while I'm under the sun
Track through the streets, with nails in my feet Wanna stay and lay with you, you're sweet
When I'm dead, they say I rise again If I come, will you still be here then? If I run, will you run with me too? We'll hiding inside And find a space for two
Eat with friends before we leave Madgaline said, "be careful, friends deceive."
This is the first time I'm posting anything on here, so, sorry if it's too long. Anyway, this song is abolutely beautiful. In the bible, which contains only gospels written by men (since mainly only men received education and thus became literate), Mary Magdalene is described as soley a prostitute. However, I don't think that's how it really was. And it's a beautiful way to redefine the religion. A true "message of love" is not sexist or biased. The union of Jesus and Mary Madgalene might be what Tricky is trying to portray here. This idea is similar to the concept of yin and yang. If Jesus was to be human and divine...to ignore or discredit the humanity is to belittle the divinity, because the sacrifices made to be "divine" are humanly experienced.
My personal beliefs lead me to think that each one of us is "bearing" some kind of cross in this life. And it's important to consider both your feminity and masculinity when "tracking through the streets."
This song reminds me a lot of Tool's "Lateralus." ...talking about the humanity and divinity within us all.
Of course, this is my interpretation, I would love to hear other people's.
I also love this song. I agree with all your analysis about the song.
Sorry...it should be, "We'll hide inside." not hiding.
I also think that the lines: Hafdis Huld & Tricky: When I'm dead, he wears my body and fame (feet?)
could be: When I'm dead, they raise my body and feed (in referece to the idea of holy communion)
Also, I spelled Magdalene about 2 or 3 different ways...not really sure which way is correct.
Just found out...this song is a meditation on Scorcese's, "The Last Temptation of Christ." This info is from Hafdis Huld's website. Good stuff.
Thank you for your insightful interpretation...I agree with most of it. Isn't this just one of the best songs ever? I'm making a "best of 2008" CD and this gem will be on there.
stentorian, thanks for the acknowlegment! yes, this is absolutely one of the best songs ever. it truly is a gem! i wish more people would post their interpretations...hopefully some will soon.<br /> <br /> hope you enjoy your "best of" cd! :)