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.
The apples ripe upon the bow
the orange on the tree
The hands were black that picked the fruit
for you, but not for me
Diamonds shining in the rock
gleaming white and blue
Ten hours a day in the diamond mines
for me, but not for you
A sea of grass and mountain ranges
beckoning the free
A place to walk with head held high
for you, but not for me
The burning sun of Africa
the sky that's always blue
Apartheid and the pass laws
for me, but not for you
A big land, a rich land
stretched from sea to sea
And all the riches of the earth
for you, but not for me
A big land, a gracious land
a land where old meets new
The bullets fired at Sharpville were
for me, but not for you
You've planted seeds of fear and hate
in all who would be free
At harvest time the fruit will be
for you, and not for me
the orange on the tree
The hands were black that picked the fruit
for you, but not for me
Diamonds shining in the rock
gleaming white and blue
Ten hours a day in the diamond mines
for me, but not for you
A sea of grass and mountain ranges
beckoning the free
A place to walk with head held high
for you, but not for me
The burning sun of Africa
the sky that's always blue
Apartheid and the pass laws
for me, but not for you
A big land, a rich land
stretched from sea to sea
And all the riches of the earth
for you, but not for me
A big land, a gracious land
a land where old meets new
The bullets fired at Sharpville were
for me, but not for you
You've planted seeds of fear and hate
in all who would be free
At harvest time the fruit will be
for you, and not for me
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Black and White Lyrics as written by Ewan Maccoll
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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