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.
Over by the wild wood it was a hot summer night
We lay in the tall grass, 'til the mornin' light come shining
If I had my way I'd never get the urge to roam
Sometimes to serve my country, sometimes I stay at home
Just don't put me in a frame upon the mantel
Where memories grow dusty old and gray
Don't leave me alone in the twilight
Twilight is the loneliest time of day
And I never gave it a second thought, I never crossed my mind
To what's right and what's not, I'm not the judgin' kind
But I would steal your darkness and storms from the skies
We've all got certain trials burnin' up inside
Just don't send me no distant salutations
Or silly souvenirs from far away
Don't leave me alone in the twilight
Twilight is the loneliest time a day
And don't put me in the frame upon the mantel
Where memories grow dusty old and gray
Don't leave me alone in the twilight
Twilight is the loneliest time a day
We lay in the tall grass, 'til the mornin' light come shining
If I had my way I'd never get the urge to roam
Sometimes to serve my country, sometimes I stay at home
Just don't put me in a frame upon the mantel
Where memories grow dusty old and gray
Don't leave me alone in the twilight
Twilight is the loneliest time of day
And I never gave it a second thought, I never crossed my mind
To what's right and what's not, I'm not the judgin' kind
But I would steal your darkness and storms from the skies
We've all got certain trials burnin' up inside
Just don't send me no distant salutations
Or silly souvenirs from far away
Don't leave me alone in the twilight
Twilight is the loneliest time a day
And don't put me in the frame upon the mantel
Where memories grow dusty old and gray
Don't leave me alone in the twilight
Twilight is the loneliest time a day
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Twilight Lyrics as written by Robbie Robertson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song was written by Robbie Robertson and Rick Danko in 1975. Recorded by The Band, but my favorite cover is Shawn Colvin's.
I googled Robertson's bio but it says nothing of him serving in the military, so this song might be about a friend or something he saw in the news.
This song is a story about a Vietnam vet who asks his brothers in arms to stay in touch by phone or in-person, not just Christmas cards. Twilight is a metaphor for old age. Robbie knows that seniors can become isolated and lonely. So, the singer does not wanted to be forgotten in his Twilight years. He knows that bad things happened in Vietnam, but the singer will not judge.