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.
I want to make myself complete
I want to hold it in my arms
I want this blow to scar your eyes
I want this pain to go away
I want to shake this thinking here
I wish there was a heaven
Born to live, live to die
Yeah, we're livin'
Give to try, try to give
Like this is heaven...and hell
You want to write my name in blood
You want to carve it in my arm
You want to make yourself a dream
You want this world under your thumb
You want to make me shout and scream
We know there ain't no heaven
Born to live, live to die
Yeah, we're livin'
Give to try, try to give
Like this is heaven
Born to live, live to die
Yeah, we're livin'
Give to try, try to give
Like this is heaven...and hell
And we all know it well...
Born to live, live to die
Yeah, we're livin'
Give to try, try to give
Like this is heaven
Born to live, live to die
Yeah, we're livin'
Give to try, try to give
Like this is heaven...and hell
I want to hold it in my arms
I want this blow to scar your eyes
I want this pain to go away
I want to shake this thinking here
I wish there was a heaven
Born to live, live to die
Yeah, we're livin'
Give to try, try to give
Like this is heaven...and hell
You want to write my name in blood
You want to carve it in my arm
You want to make yourself a dream
You want this world under your thumb
You want to make me shout and scream
We know there ain't no heaven
Born to live, live to die
Yeah, we're livin'
Give to try, try to give
Like this is heaven
Born to live, live to die
Yeah, we're livin'
Give to try, try to give
Like this is heaven...and hell
And we all know it well...
Born to live, live to die
Yeah, we're livin'
Give to try, try to give
Like this is heaven
Born to live, live to die
Yeah, we're livin'
Give to try, try to give
Like this is heaven...and hell
Lyrics submitted by VezzyRattlehead
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This song is often misattributed to Alice in Chains. In fact, I first downloaded it as an AiC song and was surprised that I never saw it on any AiC record. It wasn't until very recently that I found out it was a Circus of Power song. REALLY easy to confuse with AiC's style. I think Jerry Cantrell did contribute to it though.
I don't know the exact meaning, sorry.