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.
I once saw it in a book I had, God was by my side
My name in lights up there on the marquee, and God was very proud
I've been a miner for a heart of gold, a dreamer who just won't wake up
I thought I'd plunge into the deepest vein, it wasn't deep enough
And I will fall a hundred stories
And open up my hand
And scatter all my dreams of glory
Like seeds upon the land
Still have your picture on my wall of fame, next to the grocery list
I keep forgetting I should take you down, I'm gonna take you down
And I will fall a hundred stories
And open up my hand
And scatter all my dreams of glory
Like seeds upon the land
And I'll join the league of failures
And I will be resigned
To fall a hundred stories
And leave it all behind
And I will promise to forgive the ones who took more than they gave
At least I'll have some peace of mind as I dig their graves
And on my way down I hope to see the one I hurt the most
Perhaps he'll open up his window and in will fly this ghost
And I will fall a hundred stories
And open up my hand
And scatter all my dreams of glory
Like seeds upon the land
And I'll join the league of failures
I bet that I'll be glad
To fall a hundred stories
And I'll have peace at last
And I'll set this house on fire
And burn the whole thing down
My laurels turn to ashes
And I'll still be around
My name in lights up there on the marquee, and God was very proud
I've been a miner for a heart of gold, a dreamer who just won't wake up
I thought I'd plunge into the deepest vein, it wasn't deep enough
And I will fall a hundred stories
And open up my hand
And scatter all my dreams of glory
Like seeds upon the land
Still have your picture on my wall of fame, next to the grocery list
I keep forgetting I should take you down, I'm gonna take you down
And I will fall a hundred stories
And open up my hand
And scatter all my dreams of glory
Like seeds upon the land
And I'll join the league of failures
And I will be resigned
To fall a hundred stories
And leave it all behind
And I will promise to forgive the ones who took more than they gave
At least I'll have some peace of mind as I dig their graves
And on my way down I hope to see the one I hurt the most
Perhaps he'll open up his window and in will fly this ghost
And I will fall a hundred stories
And open up my hand
And scatter all my dreams of glory
Like seeds upon the land
And I'll join the league of failures
I bet that I'll be glad
To fall a hundred stories
And I'll have peace at last
And I'll set this house on fire
And burn the whole thing down
My laurels turn to ashes
And I'll still be around
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