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.
[Hebrew text]
('And he cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, Wrath, and indignation, and trouble, A host of evil angels.' [Psalms 78:49])
Two brothers stand
Their eyes are caught with fire
They know no fear from the tyrant on the throne
A simple wish not granted, to worship for their God
There's no compassion inside the Pharaoh's heart of stone
Blood consumes the waters, tainting red the sacred Nile
The rancid stench of death harbours winds for miles
The cities and the temples, flooded now with frogs
And their croaking lasted days until Moses gave his word
The Pharaoh's slender patience was reducing with each night,
but to free the Hebrew slaves was an unimaginable right
Though the word that spread in Egypt was speaking of the awe
that was penetrating slowly about a God they do not know
A host of evil angels
Each has a different sword
Striking down at Egypt in the name of the one and only God
By the brandish of the staff, a cloud of dust arises,
carried by the desert winds and turning into lice
Harming none in Goshen, infecting with their woe
A gathering of vermin collide against the Hebrew's foes
God presents severity like never seen before
His words to Moses rumbles like the distant thunder roar
The pestilence and sickness that stroke the heathen fold
Are the labour pains of freedom taking out their toll?
Storming down with holy anger
Rain of fire destroys all
Unending swarms of God sent furies
covering the suns in whole
(Aaron:)
[Hebrew text]
('Thus saith the LORD, God of Israel: let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness')
(Pharaoh:)
[Hebrew text]
('Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let the Israelites go?')
(Aaron:)
[Hebrew text]
('The God of the Hebrews hath met with us')
(Pharaoh:)
[Hebrew text]
('Get thee from me! Take heed to thyself, see my face no more; For in that day thou see my face...thou shalt die!')
(Moses:)
[Hebrew text]
('My Lord, master of the universe, Flesh and blood when he comes down to rage war, his ministers and servants surrounding him in all his glory. And you supreme king of kings, judge us for we are your servants and they are your allies. Come and wage war with rhem, hallowed be the name of God...forever and ever!')
The Pharaoh's heart was stubborn,
but the grief was greater than his will
By taking every first-born, entire Egypt chilled
('And he cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, Wrath, and indignation, and trouble, A host of evil angels.' [Psalms 78:49])
Two brothers stand
Their eyes are caught with fire
They know no fear from the tyrant on the throne
A simple wish not granted, to worship for their God
There's no compassion inside the Pharaoh's heart of stone
Blood consumes the waters, tainting red the sacred Nile
The rancid stench of death harbours winds for miles
The cities and the temples, flooded now with frogs
And their croaking lasted days until Moses gave his word
The Pharaoh's slender patience was reducing with each night,
but to free the Hebrew slaves was an unimaginable right
Though the word that spread in Egypt was speaking of the awe
that was penetrating slowly about a God they do not know
A host of evil angels
Each has a different sword
Striking down at Egypt in the name of the one and only God
By the brandish of the staff, a cloud of dust arises,
carried by the desert winds and turning into lice
Harming none in Goshen, infecting with their woe
A gathering of vermin collide against the Hebrew's foes
God presents severity like never seen before
His words to Moses rumbles like the distant thunder roar
The pestilence and sickness that stroke the heathen fold
Are the labour pains of freedom taking out their toll?
Storming down with holy anger
Rain of fire destroys all
Unending swarms of God sent furies
covering the suns in whole
(Aaron:)
[Hebrew text]
('Thus saith the LORD, God of Israel: let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness')
(Pharaoh:)
[Hebrew text]
('Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let the Israelites go?')
(Aaron:)
[Hebrew text]
('The God of the Hebrews hath met with us')
(Pharaoh:)
[Hebrew text]
('Get thee from me! Take heed to thyself, see my face no more; For in that day thou see my face...thou shalt die!')
(Moses:)
[Hebrew text]
('My Lord, master of the universe, Flesh and blood when he comes down to rage war, his ministers and servants surrounding him in all his glory. And you supreme king of kings, judge us for we are your servants and they are your allies. Come and wage war with rhem, hallowed be the name of God...forever and ever!')
The Pharaoh's heart was stubborn,
but the grief was greater than his will
By taking every first-born, entire Egypt chilled
Lyrics submitted by Octavarium64
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