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.
Whoa, whoa.
Bang bang go the coffin nails, like a breath exhaled,
Then gone forever.
It seems like just yesterday, how did I miss the red flags raise?
Think back to the days we laughed.
We braved these bitter storms together.
Then brought to his knees he cried,
But on his feet he died.
What God would damn a heart?
And what God drove us apart?
What God could make it stop?
Let this end.
Eighteen years pushed to the ledge.
It's come to this,
A weightless step.
On the way down singing,
Whoa, whoa.
Bang bang from the closet walls,
The schoolhouse halls,
The shotgun's loaded.
Push me and I'll push back.
I'm done asking, I demand.
From a nation under God,
I feel it's love like a cattle prod.
Born free, but still they hate.
A born me, no I can't change
It's always darkest just before the dawn.
So stay awake with me, let's prove them wrong.
Make it stop.
Let this end,
Eighteen years pushed to the ledge.
It's come to this,
A weightless step.
On the way down singing
Whoa, whoa.
The cold river washed him away,
But how could we forget.
The gatherings hold candles, but not their tongues.
And too much blood has flown from the wrist,
Of the children shamed for those they chose to kiss.
Who will rise to stop the blood.
We're calling for,
Insisting on, a different beat, yeah.
A brand new song, whoa, oh
A brand new song, whoa, whoa, whoa
(Whoa) Make it stop.
Let this end,
This life chose me, I'm not lost in sin
(Whoa) And proud I stand, of who I am,
I plan to go on living
(Whoa) Make it stop.
Let this end,
All these years pushed to the ledge
(Whoa) But proud I stand, of who I am,
I plan to go on living
Bang bang go the coffin nails, like a breath exhaled,
Then gone forever.
It seems like just yesterday, how did I miss the red flags raise?
Think back to the days we laughed.
We braved these bitter storms together.
Then brought to his knees he cried,
But on his feet he died.
What God would damn a heart?
And what God drove us apart?
What God could make it stop?
Let this end.
Eighteen years pushed to the ledge.
It's come to this,
A weightless step.
On the way down singing,
Whoa, whoa.
Bang bang from the closet walls,
The schoolhouse halls,
The shotgun's loaded.
Push me and I'll push back.
I'm done asking, I demand.
From a nation under God,
I feel it's love like a cattle prod.
Born free, but still they hate.
A born me, no I can't change
It's always darkest just before the dawn.
So stay awake with me, let's prove them wrong.
Make it stop.
Let this end,
Eighteen years pushed to the ledge.
It's come to this,
A weightless step.
On the way down singing
Whoa, whoa.
The cold river washed him away,
But how could we forget.
The gatherings hold candles, but not their tongues.
And too much blood has flown from the wrist,
Of the children shamed for those they chose to kiss.
Who will rise to stop the blood.
We're calling for,
Insisting on, a different beat, yeah.
A brand new song, whoa, oh
A brand new song, whoa, whoa, whoa
(Whoa) Make it stop.
Let this end,
This life chose me, I'm not lost in sin
(Whoa) And proud I stand, of who I am,
I plan to go on living
(Whoa) Make it stop.
Let this end,
All these years pushed to the ledge
(Whoa) But proud I stand, of who I am,
I plan to go on living
Lyrics submitted by WillCreary, edited by Robey0t, Tserra
Make It Stop (September's Children) Lyrics as written by Joseph Principe Brandon Barnes
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I'm just putting this out there but I don't think the song is about sexual discrimination based on their sexual preference. I mean many lyrics in the song seem to support this but I think the song is about suicide in general due to bullying and even worse then just suicide.
"The schoolhouse halls The shotgun's loaded Push me and i'll push back"
These lines seem to give me the idea of those massacres in America of when students have walked through and killed other students. I think the song is saying that these people were driven by being bullying. I don't think the song is justifying their deeds but I think its saying that Bullying is what caused this in some cases. Don't get me wrong this is only an idea it can be wrong or right.
Looking at the verses it appears the song is done from three different perspectives.<br /> <br /> The first verse from the point of a close friend or family member, it speaks on a personal term of the suicide victim "how did I miss the red flags raise?" red flags a sign of warning, possible a mother asking why she couldn't have helped her child?<br /> <br /> The second is speaking from the point of view of the suicide victim, seems quite straight forward, asking why he's different.<br /> <br /> The last appears to be from a group such as the government, rise against or anti bullying organisation. Speaking in general about all the children who died. Saying how disgusting in is that we allow this to go on.<br /> <br /> <br /> ...perhaps<br />
I see how that works and I agree. I just done think this song is only about discrimination against sexual preference. I think its bullying in general. Which is something I think you have picked up as well?
I'm not one to insist that a song must be about one thing, but I would have you consider the bridge:<br /> <br /> "The gatherings hold their candles,<br /> But not their tongues.<br /> And too much blood has fallen from the wrists<br /> Of the children shamed for those they chose to kiss"<br /> <br /> I take the first two lines as the gatherings of people mourning after the suicides (a candle-light vigil was held after Tyler Clemente's death, and I don't know about the other boys), but people in general not changing their ways. The second two lines are fairly straightforward.
Also, "September's Children" refers to the spate of suicides by gay boys. Of course, the song certainly supports universal tolerance, but I think the lyrics are focused on the September children.
I'd say this song IS about bullying, but mostly about bullying people because of their sexual orientation. For sure the inspiration for this song came from the numerous suicides of gay teens last September.<br /> <br /> That phrase you pointed out, about the schoolhouse and guns could support the idea of bullying in general. But it also made me think of the death of...Lawrence King I think his name was. Lawrence King was a gay teen who was bullied and then shot by another classmate in 2008 for being who he was.
good point, when he says "schoolhouse halls it almost sounds like he's crying. such a sad song.
See, I think the "shotgun's loaded" is actually an analogy-like statement. The treatment these kids got from the bullies, both online and off, were harsh enough to be compared to be being shot by shotguns. It can also symbolize that no matter where the victim is, the bullies always have a loaded shotgun and ready to fire at any give time. An example would be throwing food, throwing cans, comments and harsh verbal or physical abuse. The schoolhouse halls represent that the loaded guns don't just come from one person, but many. The halls at school are filled with kids, and especially in high school or jr high, much of them will know what's going on (via gossip). Push me and I'll Push Back represents the victims that fight back against the bullies and have the strength to go on. The last line (Push Back) is a clever way of reversing the roles (and also the lyrics). If you read it from up to down, you'll see that the kids are the power, but if you read the last line to the first, you'll see that the victim is the one with the power. Very interesting. This bullying in America needs to stop.
The video portrays three gay teens who nearly kill themselves, and the song lists some teens who killed themselves because of gay bashing, so yeah, its about bullying gays and suicide, but probably, mostly suicide.
@Indieboy2506 The song is stated to be based off both the homosexual children who committed suicide in the month of September, 2010; as well as Tim's nephew's gay best friend who also committed suicide in December, 2011.