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 girls all dance with the boys from the city
But they don't care to dance with me
Well it ain't my fault that the fields are muddy
And the red clay stains my feet
Well its under my nails and its under my collar
And it shows on my Sunday clothes
Though I do my best with soap and water
That damned old dirt won't go
But when I pass through the pearly gates
Will my gown be gold instead
Or just a red clay robe with red clay wings
And a red clay halo for my head
It's mud in the spring and it's dust in the summer
When it rolls in crimson tide
‘Til the trees and leaves and the cows are the color
Of the dirt on the mountainside
Now Jordan's banks are red and muddy
And the rolling water is wide
But I got no boat, so I'll be good and muddy
When I get to the other side
I'll take the red clay robe and the red clay wings
And the red clay halo for my head
But they don't care to dance with me
Well it ain't my fault that the fields are muddy
And the red clay stains my feet
Well its under my nails and its under my collar
And it shows on my Sunday clothes
Though I do my best with soap and water
That damned old dirt won't go
But when I pass through the pearly gates
Will my gown be gold instead
Or just a red clay robe with red clay wings
And a red clay halo for my head
It's mud in the spring and it's dust in the summer
When it rolls in crimson tide
‘Til the trees and leaves and the cows are the color
Of the dirt on the mountainside
Now Jordan's banks are red and muddy
And the rolling water is wide
But I got no boat, so I'll be good and muddy
When I get to the other side
I'll take the red clay robe and the red clay wings
And the red clay halo for my head
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Red Clay Halo Lyrics as written by Gillian Howard Welch David Todd Rawlings
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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