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 had a dream which was not all a dream:
The sun was extinguished,
And the stars wandered dark-ling in space,
Ray-less, and pathless.
And the icy Earth swung blind and blackened in the moonless air.
And men forgot their passions in the dread of this, their desolation.
And all hearts were chilled into a selfish prayer for light:
They did live by watchfires,
And the throats of crowned kings.
Habitations of all things which dwell
Were burnt for beacons.
(Oh, Lord)
I lack strength (I lack strength)
To turn and leave you.
There's no confidence (I lack strength)
In my hesitation.
Happy were those who dwelt within the eye of the volcanoes.
Their mountain-torch: A fearful hope was all the world contained.
Forests were set on fire,
But hour by hour, they fell and faded.
The crackling trunks extinguished with a crash,
And all was black.
The brows of men, by the despairing light, wore an unearthly aspect.
The flashes fell upon them; Some lay down, and hid their eyes,
And some did rest their chins upon their clenched hands, and smiled.
(Oh, Lord)
I lack strength (I lack strength)
To turn and leave you.
There's no confidence (I lack strength)
In my hesitation.
She was the universe.
She was the universe.
And vipers crawled,
And twined themselves among the multitude,
Hissing, but sting-less.
They were slain for food.
A meal was bought with blood.
And each sat apart,
Gorging himself in gloom.
No love was left.
(Oh, Lord)
I lack strength (I lack strength)
To turn and leave you.
There's no confidence (I lack strength)
In my hesitation.
(Oh, Lord)
I lack strength (I lack strength)
To turn and leave you.
There's no confidence (I lack strength)
In my hesitation.
The sun was extinguished,
And the stars wandered dark-ling in space,
Ray-less, and pathless.
And the icy Earth swung blind and blackened in the moonless air.
And men forgot their passions in the dread of this, their desolation.
And all hearts were chilled into a selfish prayer for light:
They did live by watchfires,
And the throats of crowned kings.
Habitations of all things which dwell
Were burnt for beacons.
(Oh, Lord)
I lack strength (I lack strength)
To turn and leave you.
There's no confidence (I lack strength)
In my hesitation.
Happy were those who dwelt within the eye of the volcanoes.
Their mountain-torch: A fearful hope was all the world contained.
Forests were set on fire,
But hour by hour, they fell and faded.
The crackling trunks extinguished with a crash,
And all was black.
The brows of men, by the despairing light, wore an unearthly aspect.
The flashes fell upon them; Some lay down, and hid their eyes,
And some did rest their chins upon their clenched hands, and smiled.
(Oh, Lord)
I lack strength (I lack strength)
To turn and leave you.
There's no confidence (I lack strength)
In my hesitation.
She was the universe.
She was the universe.
And vipers crawled,
And twined themselves among the multitude,
Hissing, but sting-less.
They were slain for food.
A meal was bought with blood.
And each sat apart,
Gorging himself in gloom.
No love was left.
(Oh, Lord)
I lack strength (I lack strength)
To turn and leave you.
There's no confidence (I lack strength)
In my hesitation.
(Oh, Lord)
I lack strength (I lack strength)
To turn and leave you.
There's no confidence (I lack strength)
In my hesitation.
Lyrics submitted by NoahTheDuke
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It seems as if the story takes place after judgment day. All light is gone. People are so desperate for light that they forget their worldly desires. The ones in Hell (the volcano) are happy to at least have a source of light. The ones left try to create light by burning and destroying everything. They eventually become cannibals. All in all, "She was the Universe" would suggest that, after all is said and done, the only thing that matters is her. She is the light. This is the best song on the album IMHOHMOIO. It kicks so much ass.