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, no one else is happily, recklessly
Asking for more than what they may need
I can't say what I need
Oh, temper what you say if you've nothing nice to say
So my grandmother says to me
With her heart on her sleeve
So, sadly I left the door open
And I let the dog out in the snow
Oh where did she go?
Oh, father friend, will you punish me, punish me
With a look of contempt, with a look of contempt
I can't recall
Oh, I know you did right by me, right by me
Wagging your hands when you found me
With the bag of your things
Please, please don't be a stranger here
A stranger who takes from the world
Who takes from the world
You, you must be a Christmas tree, a Christmas tree
You light up the room, oh, you light up the room
Oh, you light up the room
So suddenly you kissed me
You tickled me in front of your mother, who looked away
With her hands on her face
Don't run away my friend
You won't be back again, you said you needed me
But I know that you needed yourself to be cleaned of me
Don't run away my friend, you won't be back again
You said you needed me
But I know that you needed yourself to be cleaned of me
Don't run away my friend, you won't be back again
You ran your hands through my hair, through the snow
Where the frost-blooded flows with the terrible ghost
Don't run away my friend, you won't be back again
You said you needed me
But I know
Asking for more than what they may need
I can't say what I need
Oh, temper what you say if you've nothing nice to say
So my grandmother says to me
With her heart on her sleeve
So, sadly I left the door open
And I let the dog out in the snow
Oh where did she go?
Oh, father friend, will you punish me, punish me
With a look of contempt, with a look of contempt
I can't recall
Oh, I know you did right by me, right by me
Wagging your hands when you found me
With the bag of your things
Please, please don't be a stranger here
A stranger who takes from the world
Who takes from the world
You, you must be a Christmas tree, a Christmas tree
You light up the room, oh, you light up the room
Oh, you light up the room
So suddenly you kissed me
You tickled me in front of your mother, who looked away
With her hands on her face
Don't run away my friend
You won't be back again, you said you needed me
But I know that you needed yourself to be cleaned of me
Don't run away my friend, you won't be back again
You said you needed me
But I know that you needed yourself to be cleaned of me
Don't run away my friend, you won't be back again
You ran your hands through my hair, through the snow
Where the frost-blooded flows with the terrible ghost
Don't run away my friend, you won't be back again
You said you needed me
But I know
Lyrics submitted by perpetualwolfe, edited by dronechip
Barcarola (You Must Be a Christmas Tree) Lyrics as written by Bryce David Dessner Aaron Brooking Dessner
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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