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.
My memory
Hangs like the stain glass of the saints past history
I bury deep, Saint Anthony
I hear that he can help me find the things I need
Alaska winters pray for endless summer days
But the sun won't go away
Just like me I'll bet they really want to change
I can run as far as London
But my past has first class seats
The lighthouse lost it's beam
Now all I see
Is the face of the cliffs between the moonlight waxing
I fear for my life.
That the current tonight
Is stronger than the will that I have to survive
So breathe her alive
So breathe her alive
So breathe her alive
Is it just me
Or do you wonder if we're put here just to see
How much heartache we can take
Without hanging from the tallest tree?
I feel as lonely as a preachers wife
My heart's a Russian night
I drink to try to melt the ice
The Cold War in my mind
The truth hides between the lines
The lighthouse lost it's beam
And now all I see
Is the face of the cliffs between the moonlight waxing
I fear for my life
That the current tonight
Is stronger than the will that I have to survive
So breathe her alive
Breathe her alive
Because we'll make it through this
No matter the odds
All bets are on
It's always darkest just before the dawn
The lighthouse lost it's beam
And now all I see
Is the face of the cliffs between the moonlight waxing
I fear for my life
That the current tonight
Is stronger than the will that I have to survive
The lighthouse lost it's beam
And now all I see
Is the face of the cliffs between the moonlight waxing
I fear for my life
That the current tonight
Is stronger than the will that I have to survive
So breathe her alive
So breathe her alive
So breathe her alive
Hangs like the stain glass of the saints past history
I bury deep, Saint Anthony
I hear that he can help me find the things I need
Alaska winters pray for endless summer days
But the sun won't go away
Just like me I'll bet they really want to change
I can run as far as London
But my past has first class seats
The lighthouse lost it's beam
Now all I see
Is the face of the cliffs between the moonlight waxing
I fear for my life.
That the current tonight
Is stronger than the will that I have to survive
So breathe her alive
So breathe her alive
So breathe her alive
Is it just me
Or do you wonder if we're put here just to see
How much heartache we can take
Without hanging from the tallest tree?
I feel as lonely as a preachers wife
My heart's a Russian night
I drink to try to melt the ice
The Cold War in my mind
The truth hides between the lines
The lighthouse lost it's beam
And now all I see
Is the face of the cliffs between the moonlight waxing
I fear for my life
That the current tonight
Is stronger than the will that I have to survive
So breathe her alive
Breathe her alive
Because we'll make it through this
No matter the odds
All bets are on
It's always darkest just before the dawn
The lighthouse lost it's beam
And now all I see
Is the face of the cliffs between the moonlight waxing
I fear for my life
That the current tonight
Is stronger than the will that I have to survive
The lighthouse lost it's beam
And now all I see
Is the face of the cliffs between the moonlight waxing
I fear for my life
That the current tonight
Is stronger than the will that I have to survive
So breathe her alive
So breathe her alive
So breathe her alive
Lyrics submitted by monkeyfund
Saint Anthony Lyrics as written by Buddy James Nielsen Garrett Zablocki
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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It sounds more to me like he's saying "So breathe, you're alive." I love this song haha, its gotten me super pumped for The Fire.
its definitely "so breathe you're alive"<br /> <br /> not breathe her alive...someone needs to change that<br /> <br /> it bothers me
The song seems pretty straightforward. The speaker is lost in his life and is desperately trying to find their way and will to continue living.
The title, and the lines "Saint Anthony / I hear he can help me find the things I need," reference Anthony of Padua, whom the Catholic Church attributes miracles relating to the Finding of Lost Things.
One legend, The Miracle of the Jealous Husband, tells of a woman who was murdered by her husband for adultery. After finding out the truth, the man begs Saint Anthony for forgiveness, and Anthony brings the woman back to life. Bearing this in mind, while I agree with the users above that the line sounds a lot more like "Breathe, you're alive," it would make sense (and be pretty cool) if the line was "Breathe her alive."
no comments yet!?! this is a great song! I love senses fail!!!
So does Josef Mengele
It is "Breathe, you're alive." Whoever wrote this put down incorrect lyrics. -_-