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.
Do you ever remember?
Now you are so far away
Things that we used to laugh about
Crazy things we’d say
There were so many May times
When every word was a song
There were so many gay times
Before it all went all so wrong
But time is ever a vagabond
Time was always a thief
Time can steal away happiness
But time can take away grief
So I won’t try to remember
For that way leads to regret
Though I will try to remember
What I can never forget
-Molly Drake
Family Tree
Now you are so far away
Things that we used to laugh about
Crazy things we’d say
There were so many May times
When every word was a song
There were so many gay times
Before it all went all so wrong
But time is ever a vagabond
Time was always a thief
Time can steal away happiness
But time can take away grief
So I won’t try to remember
For that way leads to regret
Though I will try to remember
What I can never forget
-Molly Drake
Family Tree
Lyrics submitted by grassy
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Can anyone tell me whether Nick or Molly Drake actually wrote this song?
I would love to think that Molly wrote this fabulous song! Even more than that, I really want her to have written it after Nick died. It's a totally haunting, old fashioned masterpiece....poignant if written before Nick passed away, but unbelievably poignant if written afterwards. It's one of those songs that comes to life with headphones on, you can literally feel Molly's pain and anguish.<br /> 'Do you ever remember?<br /> Now you are so far away.' She then goes on to recall all the fun Nick had when he was a young lad,<br /> 'before it all went so wrong'<br /> The second verse is remarkable, she says how time was so short for Nick, yet time has healed the grief she feels. Nick was an amazing artist with a tortured life, but he had an amazingly courageous and understanding family. Molly must be so proud.