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.
Well I'm standin' on top of the mountain
Just about a mile from Jericho
And my throat is hot and dusty
Down to the water I must go
Catherine the Great and brave Ulysses
Playin' checkers out in the sun
Jesse James and young William Bonnie
Have started a religion for everyone
And I'm standin' on top of the mountain
Just about a mile from Jericho
And my throat is hot and dusty
Down to the water I must go
Well the drums they are loud down in rap town
But the Pope has been quiet for days
Well some gunmen robbed a bank in California
And the cops blew them all away
If you don't like the picture
Don't turn it off
The only way to change it is to do it yourself
And I'm standin' on top of the mountain
Just about a mile from Jericho
And my throat is hot and dusty
Down to the water I must go
Peace and love on the wings of a dove
Has flown away
We're payin' the rent
On the blood that's been spent
On a mortgage that's too high to be paid
Well I'm standin' on top of the mountain
Just about a mile from Jericho
And my throat is hot and dusty
down to the water I must go
And I'm standin' on top of the mountain
Just about a mile from Jericho
And my throat is hot and dusty
Down to the water I must go
Just about a mile from Jericho
And my throat is hot and dusty
Down to the water I must go
Catherine the Great and brave Ulysses
Playin' checkers out in the sun
Jesse James and young William Bonnie
Have started a religion for everyone
And I'm standin' on top of the mountain
Just about a mile from Jericho
And my throat is hot and dusty
Down to the water I must go
Well the drums they are loud down in rap town
But the Pope has been quiet for days
Well some gunmen robbed a bank in California
And the cops blew them all away
If you don't like the picture
Don't turn it off
The only way to change it is to do it yourself
And I'm standin' on top of the mountain
Just about a mile from Jericho
And my throat is hot and dusty
Down to the water I must go
Peace and love on the wings of a dove
Has flown away
We're payin' the rent
On the blood that's been spent
On a mortgage that's too high to be paid
Well I'm standin' on top of the mountain
Just about a mile from Jericho
And my throat is hot and dusty
down to the water I must go
And I'm standin' on top of the mountain
Just about a mile from Jericho
And my throat is hot and dusty
Down to the water I must go
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Jericho Lyrics as written by
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