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.
Oh scarecrow
You know why I'm asleep?
All the weight you bear you cannot carry
You know you're just like you're mother
And your bag all packed to go
And you hid your heart from everyone you know
You say you'd never love another
Unless they bore your own name
Oh your kin, they trample on you just the same
Oh I gave my love to a harlot I'm told
And the blackness of a scarecrow no one knows
well I'm red in the blood that I have drained
That I wasted in a rain
Well your love that takes your picture
And your love that worships
Well if you can't see it then soon you will
And you frequent the same stripclub
You love to watch the ladies dance
Well you always know I don't do shit like that
While I was out in Scotland
You were out with him
And you took your shot and you threw up your limbs
Oh I gave my love to a harlot I'm told
And the blackness of a scarecrow you cannot hold
well I'm red in the blood that I have drained
That I wasted in a rain
Well you deserve applause for splitting me into
Well I count you on the list of a mortal few
Well I hope that you were happy
I could only wish you the best
But your beauty vacant setting in the west
And this may just say redundant because you've chosen your own fate
Was I more to you than just a pretty face
Well I'll give my love to a harlot I will
And the blackness of a scarecrow you cannot kill
well I'm red in the blood that I have drained
That I wasted waiting for rain
You know why I'm asleep?
All the weight you bear you cannot carry
You know you're just like you're mother
And your bag all packed to go
And you hid your heart from everyone you know
You say you'd never love another
Unless they bore your own name
Oh your kin, they trample on you just the same
Oh I gave my love to a harlot I'm told
And the blackness of a scarecrow no one knows
well I'm red in the blood that I have drained
That I wasted in a rain
Well your love that takes your picture
And your love that worships
Well if you can't see it then soon you will
And you frequent the same stripclub
You love to watch the ladies dance
Well you always know I don't do shit like that
While I was out in Scotland
You were out with him
And you took your shot and you threw up your limbs
Oh I gave my love to a harlot I'm told
And the blackness of a scarecrow you cannot hold
well I'm red in the blood that I have drained
That I wasted in a rain
Well you deserve applause for splitting me into
Well I count you on the list of a mortal few
Well I hope that you were happy
I could only wish you the best
But your beauty vacant setting in the west
And this may just say redundant because you've chosen your own fate
Was I more to you than just a pretty face
Well I'll give my love to a harlot I will
And the blackness of a scarecrow you cannot kill
well I'm red in the blood that I have drained
That I wasted waiting for rain
Lyrics submitted by alexpigment
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
"I gave my love to a harlot I'm told." I know the feeling. Lovknote2 summed up the song.