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.
Hollow.
To be without the One that brought us here.
Meaningless.
Rip the roots from the ground to lay down foundations bound to crumble.
Generations will come and go but the earth will remain.
Swallow lies as you construct compensations for truth.
Trading in our souls for white washed figures and towering symbols of our progress. We're all chasing the wind.
But it's all in vain. The same fate will overtake us all in the end.
The workforce marching, hearts heavy as stone.
For the same fate overtakes us all.
And I have walked every mile, and upturned every stone. I've indulged every urge And bowed at the altar of greed.
Just to find that all of this is meaningless.
What is there left for men to do with the little time we have?
Denying ourselves nothing we desire. We are counting down the days until we've reached our final hour. Nothing will be gained under the sun.
I have seen, all things forged must come undone.
I have surveyed all my hands have done.
And when we pass we leave everything behind.
I have walked every mile, and upturned every stone. I've indulged every urge and bowed at the altar of greed.
Just to find that all of this is meaningless.
And as we stand at the edge of time, we will look back and we will see
That our gods all will fade to dust if they are built from mortar and machines.
Hollow.
Meaningless.
To be without the One that brought us here.
Meaningless.
Rip the roots from the ground to lay down foundations bound to crumble.
Generations will come and go but the earth will remain.
Swallow lies as you construct compensations for truth.
Trading in our souls for white washed figures and towering symbols of our progress. We're all chasing the wind.
But it's all in vain. The same fate will overtake us all in the end.
The workforce marching, hearts heavy as stone.
For the same fate overtakes us all.
And I have walked every mile, and upturned every stone. I've indulged every urge And bowed at the altar of greed.
Just to find that all of this is meaningless.
What is there left for men to do with the little time we have?
Denying ourselves nothing we desire. We are counting down the days until we've reached our final hour. Nothing will be gained under the sun.
I have seen, all things forged must come undone.
I have surveyed all my hands have done.
And when we pass we leave everything behind.
I have walked every mile, and upturned every stone. I've indulged every urge and bowed at the altar of greed.
Just to find that all of this is meaningless.
And as we stand at the edge of time, we will look back and we will see
That our gods all will fade to dust if they are built from mortar and machines.
Hollow.
Meaningless.
Lyrics submitted by xOdad_jianx
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