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.
Benny was and idiot, lived in the Village
Said black people were the problem
"They're dragging us down, man, it's inevitable
Won't be long til the country gone tribal
Went on out to Northern Idaho,
Joined up with the Aryan Nation
I can feel him out there scheming and a-hating
Filling up the country with his lies and frustrations
Trouble in the land
Too many people drawing lines in the sand
Blood on their hands
Trouble
Trouble in the land
Too many people got guns in their hands
Blood in the sand
Trouble in the land
I had a friend, his name was Billy, oh
He got a job in conservative talk radio
Said you can't criticize "you know who"
Idiot was talking about the Jews
He tried to tell me Hitler was impressive
Til he got a little too excessive
I can hear him out there scheming and a-hating
Filling up the country with his lies and frustrations
Trouble in the land
Too many people drawing lines in the sand
Blood on their hands
Trouble
Trouble in the land
Too many people got guns in their hands
Blood in the sand
Trouble in the land
Shooting your mouth off in Philadelphia
Bartender says, "The Lord have mercy on you."
Guns going off in New York City
Everybody trying to do their best
Til chickens start coming home to rest
So watch your mouth, don't take chances
Don't ask questions if you don't want answers
Trouble in the land
Too many people drawing lines in the sand
Blood on their hands
Trouble
Trouble in the land
Too many people got guns in their hands
Blood in the sand
Trouble in the land
Said black people were the problem
"They're dragging us down, man, it's inevitable
Won't be long til the country gone tribal
Went on out to Northern Idaho,
Joined up with the Aryan Nation
I can feel him out there scheming and a-hating
Filling up the country with his lies and frustrations
Trouble in the land
Too many people drawing lines in the sand
Blood on their hands
Trouble
Trouble in the land
Too many people got guns in their hands
Blood in the sand
Trouble in the land
I had a friend, his name was Billy, oh
He got a job in conservative talk radio
Said you can't criticize "you know who"
Idiot was talking about the Jews
He tried to tell me Hitler was impressive
Til he got a little too excessive
I can hear him out there scheming and a-hating
Filling up the country with his lies and frustrations
Trouble in the land
Too many people drawing lines in the sand
Blood on their hands
Trouble
Trouble in the land
Too many people got guns in their hands
Blood in the sand
Trouble in the land
Shooting your mouth off in Philadelphia
Bartender says, "The Lord have mercy on you."
Guns going off in New York City
Everybody trying to do their best
Til chickens start coming home to rest
So watch your mouth, don't take chances
Don't ask questions if you don't want answers
Trouble in the land
Too many people drawing lines in the sand
Blood on their hands
Trouble
Trouble in the land
Too many people got guns in their hands
Blood in the sand
Trouble in the land
Lyrics submitted by nikkus34
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