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.
Look at the wood and the way he carves it
Must have taken him years
I asked him the price and he said it was free
And I couldn't believe my ears
Tell me old man how long have you lived
To have such amazing talent
I'm twenty years short of a century
And the best years are in the balance
As a baby his mother had fed him frogs
And a wide assortment of lizards
It made him tough and wise and strange
And gave him the mind of a wizard
He had a new woman every five years
Faithful to each in her turn
They gave him children and time to smile
And he showed them all the love they could learn
The man had love to burn
Now he's lived his life and he'll live it again
Through one more gentle soul
You'll know him by his smile and his fork held high
He'll be dining on toads and moles
Look at the wood and the way he carves it
Look at the sun, the golden harvest
Must have taken him years
Must have taken him years
I asked him the price and he said it was free
And I couldn't believe my ears
Tell me old man how long have you lived
To have such amazing talent
I'm twenty years short of a century
And the best years are in the balance
As a baby his mother had fed him frogs
And a wide assortment of lizards
It made him tough and wise and strange
And gave him the mind of a wizard
He had a new woman every five years
Faithful to each in her turn
They gave him children and time to smile
And he showed them all the love they could learn
The man had love to burn
Now he's lived his life and he'll live it again
Through one more gentle soul
You'll know him by his smile and his fork held high
He'll be dining on toads and moles
Look at the wood and the way he carves it
Look at the sun, the golden harvest
Must have taken him years
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Look at the Wood Lyrics as written by Paul Kantner Grace Slick
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
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