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.
Orion said, this body is mine,
And you may do with it what ever you like
But when the sky turns red you'd better come back home
'Cause I can't spend these summer nights alone
Orion said, I'm just a humble hunter
The dog the only company I keep
Forgive me if if I fear that you will change me
But I've seen my fortune written in the leaves
Ah, push it through! Ah, push it through!
Because the body and the mind can't heal in two
Orion and dog, how the road you've walked was long
But the winter of your song
Is slowly fading
Orion said, you'd better treat me true
You should hold me like a bird inside your palm
'Cause I can't be just another heart you've broken
'Cause I'm getting much too old
Orion, she said, I know all men are mortal
And the ships in which you travel are full of thieves
But the only way that you will ever have me
Is if you through your body into the sea
Ah, push it through! Ah, push it through!
Because the body and the mind can't heal in two
Orion and dog, how the road you've walked was long
But the winter of your song
Is slowly fading
Orion and dog, how your light will live beyond
Your final summer song
Or so it's fated
Or so it's fated
So it is fated
And you may do with it what ever you like
But when the sky turns red you'd better come back home
'Cause I can't spend these summer nights alone
Orion said, I'm just a humble hunter
The dog the only company I keep
Forgive me if if I fear that you will change me
But I've seen my fortune written in the leaves
Ah, push it through! Ah, push it through!
Because the body and the mind can't heal in two
Orion and dog, how the road you've walked was long
But the winter of your song
Is slowly fading
Orion said, you'd better treat me true
You should hold me like a bird inside your palm
'Cause I can't be just another heart you've broken
'Cause I'm getting much too old
Orion, she said, I know all men are mortal
And the ships in which you travel are full of thieves
But the only way that you will ever have me
Is if you through your body into the sea
Ah, push it through! Ah, push it through!
Because the body and the mind can't heal in two
Orion and dog, how the road you've walked was long
But the winter of your song
Is slowly fading
Orion and dog, how your light will live beyond
Your final summer song
Or so it's fated
Or so it's fated
So it is fated
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Love this song. So beautiful, especially with the acoustic and strings combined during the break. I think Orion & Dog may just be an Orion legend as told by Sea Wolf. The main theme seems to be Orion professing his love to something, perhaps a female deity, and the only way they can be together is with his death. Sad, but that's what I'm getting from it.
this reminds me alot of me and my boyfriend. its really touching and expresses a deep love and fear for change
The soft chord progression is so beautiful, and to me the lyrics bring up so many emotions. I love how much it references greek mythology, and not just the constellation "Orion". As mentioned, Orion had a dog, the star Sirus, and i think that the lover he may be talking to is Artemis. think about it, they became great, extremely intimate friends, borderline lover, which he was not used to. hence, "Forgive me if if I fear that you will change me" Because he is afraid of what many close intimate friends are, falling in love. But one night he has a dream that a scorpion (sent by Apollo) tried to kill him, and as he woke he went to tell Artemis, but guarding her door was the scorpion in his dream. he fought it valiantly, but the scorpions armor was too strong, and inevitably he was backed up against the sea, so in an effort to save himself, to have another day with Artemis, he jumped into the sea. "[Orion, she said] the only way that you will ever have me, Is if you threw your body into the sea" and " how your light will live beyond" probably refers to the constellation Artemis put in the sky as a memorial to him. When he said "your final summer song Or so it's fated" I'm assuming its his death, or leaving the earth to be in the heavens. Its a great story, with a great melody.
The soft chord progression is so beautiful, and to me the lyrics bring up so many emotions. I love how much it references greek mythology, and not just the constellation "Orion". As mentioned, Orion had a dog, the star Sirus, and i think that the lover he may be talking to is Artemis. think about it, they became great, extremely intimate friends, borderline lover, which he was not used to. hence, "Forgive me if if I fear that you will change me" Because he is afraid of what many close intimate friends are, falling in love. But one night he has a dream that a scorpion (sent by Apollo) tried to kill him, and as he woke he went to tell Artemis, but guarding her door was the scorpion in his dream. he fought it valiantly, but the scorpions armor was too strong, and inevitably he was backed up against the sea, so in an effort to save himself, to have another day with Artemis, he jumped into the sea. "[Orion, she said] the only way that you will ever have me, Is if you threw your body into the sea" and " how your light will live beyond" probably refers to the constellation Artemis put in the sky as a memorial to him. When he said "your final summer song Or so it's fated" I'm assuming its his death, or leaving the earth to be in the heavens. Its a great story, with a great melody.