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.
We used to call it Sin City
Now it's gone way past that.
Painting the town
And then burning it down.
And even that's old hat.
Now there' a choir of angles
And the fall of Rome
Singing "Ave Maria"
Or "Home Sweet Home"
[Chorus:]
It's just a heathen town
I hear only evil
As my tongue is tightened.
I used to be god-fearing
Now I'm so frightened
'cause the devil will drag you under
By the sharp tailfin
Of your checkered cab (?)
Now I can't sit down,
I'm going overboard
In this heathen town.
Starts as an a flirtation
And ends up as an expensive habit.
With one eye on her place in debtor's
And the other on a girl
Dressed as a rabbit.
Now you can live forever
In your fits and starts
The only stake you cannot raise
Is the one driven through your heart.
[Chorus]
The people all said sit down,
Sit down you're rocking the boat.
The people all said sit down,
Sit down you're rocking the boat.
Cause the devil will drag you under
By the sharp lapels of your checkered coat.
Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down,
Sit down you're rocking the boat.
Now it's gone way past that.
Painting the town
And then burning it down.
And even that's old hat.
Now there' a choir of angles
And the fall of Rome
Singing "Ave Maria"
Or "Home Sweet Home"
[Chorus:]
It's just a heathen town
I hear only evil
As my tongue is tightened.
I used to be god-fearing
Now I'm so frightened
'cause the devil will drag you under
By the sharp tailfin
Of your checkered cab (?)
Now I can't sit down,
I'm going overboard
In this heathen town.
Starts as an a flirtation
And ends up as an expensive habit.
With one eye on her place in debtor's
And the other on a girl
Dressed as a rabbit.
Now you can live forever
In your fits and starts
The only stake you cannot raise
Is the one driven through your heart.
[Chorus]
The people all said sit down,
Sit down you're rocking the boat.
The people all said sit down,
Sit down you're rocking the boat.
Cause the devil will drag you under
By the sharp lapels of your checkered coat.
Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down,
Sit down you're rocking the boat.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Heathen Town [Bonus Track] Lyrics as written by Elvis Costello
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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