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.
Well gather round people
And listen to this
I am a hermit of burial ridge
Once I was shaven and worked every day
But the call of the wild just lured me away
Singing hi hi ho it's a water a day
On my way to an unmarked grave
Hi hi ho it's a water a day
On my way to an unmarked grave
There's pals at my table and mud on the floor
There's bears in the area and wolves at the door
Their singing a song about cookie McBride
Who goes out a-trapping and then tails their hide
Hi hi hey it's a water a day
On my way to an unhappy grave
Hi hi hey it's a water a day
On my way to a rain filled grave
So if you're planning a natural trip
Don't call up snooping on burial ridge
The searchers will come and discover your hide
High, wet and hanging like cookie McBride
Hi hi hey it's a water a day
On your way to an unhappy grave
Hi hi hey it's a water a day
Who will remember the money you saved?
I'm in over your head
You're in over your head
And listen to this
I am a hermit of burial ridge
Once I was shaven and worked every day
But the call of the wild just lured me away
Singing hi hi ho it's a water a day
On my way to an unmarked grave
Hi hi ho it's a water a day
On my way to an unmarked grave
There's pals at my table and mud on the floor
There's bears in the area and wolves at the door
Their singing a song about cookie McBride
Who goes out a-trapping and then tails their hide
Hi hi hey it's a water a day
On my way to an unhappy grave
Hi hi hey it's a water a day
On my way to a rain filled grave
So if you're planning a natural trip
Don't call up snooping on burial ridge
The searchers will come and discover your hide
High, wet and hanging like cookie McBride
Hi hi hey it's a water a day
On your way to an unhappy grave
Hi hi hey it's a water a day
Who will remember the money you saved?
I'm in over your head
You're in over your head
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
The Ballad of Cookie Mcbride Lyrics as written by Robert Duprey Iggy Pop
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.