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've swept the floors of all my kings
I've opened doors and let the tourists in
Days of wine and roses
Prime ministers, red robes
These days are gone
I've stood on guard as my Queens were born
I've cut the grass on many English lawns
Of strawberries and ice cream
Of cricket and cold beer
These days
London Tower's burning. Parliament's ablaze
Buckingham Palace has gone
Somewhere in the distance my darling she's a crying
I should be by her side
This is the day the ravens left the tower
This is the day the ravens fly away
Fly away, fly away.
Fly away, fly away.
Fly away
I've stood on the Changing of the Guards
To the Bloody Tower watching the Crown Jewels
A penny for the guy sir?
Will you vote left or right?
These days
London Bridge is falling.
St. Pauls Cathedral bums
The tower blocks are gone
Somewhere in the distance my darlings she's a crying
I should be by her side.
This is the day the ravens left the tower
This is the day the ravens fly away
Fly away, fly away (fly away)
Fly away, fly away (fly away)
Fly away, fly away (fly away)
Fly away, fly away
And if I live to see the dawning of the day
I hope I'm in your arms as we get swept away
Oh darling I will be home soon
Darling I will be home soon
(Ring a ring a roses, a pocket full of posies
Atishoo, Atishoo, we all fall down)
I've opened doors and let the tourists in
Days of wine and roses
Prime ministers, red robes
These days are gone
I've stood on guard as my Queens were born
I've cut the grass on many English lawns
Of strawberries and ice cream
Of cricket and cold beer
These days
London Tower's burning. Parliament's ablaze
Buckingham Palace has gone
Somewhere in the distance my darling she's a crying
I should be by her side
This is the day the ravens left the tower
This is the day the ravens fly away
Fly away, fly away.
Fly away, fly away.
Fly away
I've stood on the Changing of the Guards
To the Bloody Tower watching the Crown Jewels
A penny for the guy sir?
Will you vote left or right?
These days
London Bridge is falling.
St. Pauls Cathedral bums
The tower blocks are gone
Somewhere in the distance my darlings she's a crying
I should be by her side.
This is the day the ravens left the tower
This is the day the ravens fly away
Fly away, fly away (fly away)
Fly away, fly away (fly away)
Fly away, fly away (fly away)
Fly away, fly away
And if I live to see the dawning of the day
I hope I'm in your arms as we get swept away
Oh darling I will be home soon
Darling I will be home soon
(Ring a ring a roses, a pocket full of posies
Atishoo, Atishoo, we all fall down)
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
The Day the Ravens Left the Tower Lyrics as written by Michael Leslie Peters Edward James Mac Donald
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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