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.
Anybody see a knight pass this way?
I saw him playing chess with Death yesterday
His crusade was a search - for God and their same
It's been a long way to carry on
Anybody hear of plague in this town?
The town I've left behind was burned to the ground
A young girl on a stake, her face framed in flames
Cried "I'm not a witch - God knows my name"
The knight he watched with fear - he needed to know
He ran where he might feel Gods breath
And in the misty church, he knelt to confess
The face within the booth was Mr Death
My life's a vain pursuit - of meaningless miles
Why can't God touch me with a sign?
"Perhaps there's no-one there" answered the booth
And Death hid within his cloak and smiled
This morning I played chess with Death said the Knight
We played that he might grant me time
My bishop and my knights will shatter his flanks
And still I might feel God's heart in mine
And through confessions grill - Death's laughter was heard
The Knight cried "No, you've cheated me"
But still I find a way - we'll meet once again
And once again continue to play
They met within the woods - the knight, his squire and friends
And Death said "Now the game shall end&quit;
The final move was made - the knight hung his head
And said "You've won - I have nothing left to play"
The minstrel filled with visions - sang to his love
To look against the stormy sky
The knight, his squire and friends - their hands held as one
Silently danced towards the dawn
His hourglass in his hands - his scythe by his side
The master Death, he leads them on
The rain will wash away - the tears from their faces
And as the thunder cracked - they were gone
I saw him playing chess with Death yesterday
His crusade was a search - for God and their same
It's been a long way to carry on
Anybody hear of plague in this town?
The town I've left behind was burned to the ground
A young girl on a stake, her face framed in flames
Cried "I'm not a witch - God knows my name"
The knight he watched with fear - he needed to know
He ran where he might feel Gods breath
And in the misty church, he knelt to confess
The face within the booth was Mr Death
My life's a vain pursuit - of meaningless miles
Why can't God touch me with a sign?
"Perhaps there's no-one there" answered the booth
And Death hid within his cloak and smiled
This morning I played chess with Death said the Knight
We played that he might grant me time
My bishop and my knights will shatter his flanks
And still I might feel God's heart in mine
And through confessions grill - Death's laughter was heard
The Knight cried "No, you've cheated me"
But still I find a way - we'll meet once again
And once again continue to play
They met within the woods - the knight, his squire and friends
And Death said "Now the game shall end&quit;
The final move was made - the knight hung his head
And said "You've won - I have nothing left to play"
The minstrel filled with visions - sang to his love
To look against the stormy sky
The knight, his squire and friends - their hands held as one
Silently danced towards the dawn
His hourglass in his hands - his scythe by his side
The master Death, he leads them on
The rain will wash away - the tears from their faces
And as the thunder cracked - they were gone
Lyrics submitted by NoSahdow
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