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.
Old hope, got stuck in your throat
Wound its way round your neck, and caused you to choke
That old hope, made of rope,
Held you tight as the chair legs broke
When they found you hanging in the wood
You said, "At least, now, I don't have to be kind or good,
I'll be cruel, and I'll be obscene,
Tear out my tongue, cos I've been redeemed"
When they found you hanging in the wood
You said, "At least, now, I don't have to be kind or good,
I'll be cruel, and I'll be obscene,
Tear out my tongue, cos I've been redeemed"
Save my blushes for the grave,
No shy glance, no coy restraint,
And I won't hang my head, and I won't repent,
Won't face the wall and count to ten
Five, six, seven, eight, nine... ten
Well they tore you down, and they tore out your tongue,
And they made you kneel for all the things that you done
But you wouldn't cry, and you wouldn't beg,
You just grinned, and tore out your teeth instead
And when they found you hanging in the wood
You said, "At least, now, I don't have to be kind or good,
I'll be cruel, and I'll be obscene,
Tear out my tongue, cos I've been redeemed"
Wound its way round your neck, and caused you to choke
That old hope, made of rope,
Held you tight as the chair legs broke
When they found you hanging in the wood
You said, "At least, now, I don't have to be kind or good,
I'll be cruel, and I'll be obscene,
Tear out my tongue, cos I've been redeemed"
When they found you hanging in the wood
You said, "At least, now, I don't have to be kind or good,
I'll be cruel, and I'll be obscene,
Tear out my tongue, cos I've been redeemed"
Save my blushes for the grave,
No shy glance, no coy restraint,
And I won't hang my head, and I won't repent,
Won't face the wall and count to ten
Five, six, seven, eight, nine... ten
Well they tore you down, and they tore out your tongue,
And they made you kneel for all the things that you done
But you wouldn't cry, and you wouldn't beg,
You just grinned, and tore out your teeth instead
And when they found you hanging in the wood
You said, "At least, now, I don't have to be kind or good,
I'll be cruel, and I'll be obscene,
Tear out my tongue, cos I've been redeemed"
Lyrics submitted by KatherineKissMe
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It's the whole "tear off your nose to spite your face" mentality here as well as in many of her others but WOW...she has such a way to describe it! Like no other! Also, "redeemed" simply means since she's already "choked," she'd rather rather "go down in flames." There is such a brilliant level of self-defense she implores in many of her songs!
However, it's very late and I am very drunk and am an atheist, so "redeemed" makes no sense to me. Oh, and instead of bite my tongue, I'll tear out my teeth instead...
Ye Olde Hope...makes a devil of us all. Unless, you are a devout christian (or catholic/redeemer lutheren) who looks down upon the entire god-forsaken world, knocking the legs out form under my seat. Well, at least now I know. I get it! I don't have to be kind or good...not here!