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.
Lay your head down to sleep
And pray to your lord your soul he keeps
Hope that he answers all your pleas
A sinner like you ON YOUR KNEES
How long can you keep pretending
You can't live by the rules you're bending
All your prayers do no good
When you don't do what you should
LUCIFER LIVES it's no illusion
Your mind is in confusion
Thoughts denied all come true
When he takes your soul from you
Will you writhe and take his turn
But you have doubts not born to burn
Or will you choose the right hand turn
Goat of mendes standing by firm
No time left to pray and kneel
Open wounds will never heal
Your beliefs I'll always spill
Shut them down and now you're ill
Tears on your pillow so ashamed
Of what's going on inside your brain
Thoughts above becoming maimed
Take the plunge play the game
You will write and take his turn
I have no doubts you were born to burn
No one chooses the right hand turn
Goat of mendes standing by firm
You're walking through darkness
No need to look behind
The gates are open for you
You're welcome here inside
No more listening to reason
No more asking why
Just accept what you are given
No more guilt ridden sighs RIGHT
Time turning tolling bells
You're learning what I tell
Deceiving but not lies
Retrieving alibis
I laugh hearing you cry
Fire bath you want to die
Sizzling flesh and burning cells
Living dead for the god of Hell
You lay your head down to sleep
And pray to your lord your soul to keep
Hope that he answers all your pleas
A sinner like you ON YOUR KNEES
And pray to your lord your soul he keeps
Hope that he answers all your pleas
A sinner like you ON YOUR KNEES
How long can you keep pretending
You can't live by the rules you're bending
All your prayers do no good
When you don't do what you should
LUCIFER LIVES it's no illusion
Your mind is in confusion
Thoughts denied all come true
When he takes your soul from you
Will you writhe and take his turn
But you have doubts not born to burn
Or will you choose the right hand turn
Goat of mendes standing by firm
No time left to pray and kneel
Open wounds will never heal
Your beliefs I'll always spill
Shut them down and now you're ill
Tears on your pillow so ashamed
Of what's going on inside your brain
Thoughts above becoming maimed
Take the plunge play the game
You will write and take his turn
I have no doubts you were born to burn
No one chooses the right hand turn
Goat of mendes standing by firm
You're walking through darkness
No need to look behind
The gates are open for you
You're welcome here inside
No more listening to reason
No more asking why
Just accept what you are given
No more guilt ridden sighs RIGHT
Time turning tolling bells
You're learning what I tell
Deceiving but not lies
Retrieving alibis
I laugh hearing you cry
Fire bath you want to die
Sizzling flesh and burning cells
Living dead for the god of Hell
You lay your head down to sleep
And pray to your lord your soul to keep
Hope that he answers all your pleas
A sinner like you ON YOUR KNEES
Lyrics submitted by scruffziller
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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