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.
A devil in a midnight mass,
He prayed behind stained glass
A memory of Sunday class
Resurrected from the past
Hold your breath and count to four
Pinky swears don't work no more
Footsteps down the hallway floor
Getting closer to my door
I was alive but now I'm singing
Silent night for the rest of my life
Silent night for the rest of my life
Silent knight at the edge of your knife
(Forgive me father)
Won't make it right
Silent night for the rest of my life
Silent night at the edge of your knife
(You're guilty!)
A devil in a midnight mass
Killed the boy inside the man
The holy water in his hands
Can never wash away his sins
Hold your breath and count to four
Pinky swears don't work no more
Put my trust in god that day
Not the man that got his way
I was alive but now I'm singing
Silent night for the rest of my life
Silent night for the rest of my life
Silent night at the edge of your knife
(Forgive me father!)
Won't make it right
Silent night for the rest of my life
Silent knight at the edge of your knife
(You're guilty!)
Whisper, whisper don't make a sound
Your bed is made it's in the ground
Whisper, whisper don't make a sound
Your bed is made it's in the ground
Whisper, whisper don't make a sound
Your bed is made it's in the ground
Whisper, whisper don't make a sound
Your bed is made it's in the ground
Whisper, whisper don't make a sound
Your bed is made it's in the ground
Whisper, whisper don't make a sound
Your bed is made and it's in the ground
He prayed behind stained glass
A memory of Sunday class
Resurrected from the past
Hold your breath and count to four
Pinky swears don't work no more
Footsteps down the hallway floor
Getting closer to my door
I was alive but now I'm singing
Silent night for the rest of my life
Silent night for the rest of my life
Silent knight at the edge of your knife
(Forgive me father)
Won't make it right
Silent night for the rest of my life
Silent night at the edge of your knife
(You're guilty!)
A devil in a midnight mass
Killed the boy inside the man
The holy water in his hands
Can never wash away his sins
Hold your breath and count to four
Pinky swears don't work no more
Put my trust in god that day
Not the man that got his way
I was alive but now I'm singing
Silent night for the rest of my life
Silent night for the rest of my life
Silent night at the edge of your knife
(Forgive me father!)
Won't make it right
Silent night for the rest of my life
Silent knight at the edge of your knife
(You're guilty!)
Whisper, whisper don't make a sound
Your bed is made it's in the ground
Whisper, whisper don't make a sound
Your bed is made it's in the ground
Whisper, whisper don't make a sound
Your bed is made it's in the ground
Whisper, whisper don't make a sound
Your bed is made it's in the ground
Whisper, whisper don't make a sound
Your bed is made it's in the ground
Whisper, whisper don't make a sound
Your bed is made and it's in the ground
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by neobahamut20
Devil in a Midnight Mass Lyrics as written by Ben Kowalewicz Aaron Solowoniuk
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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mmadcat's explanation seems to make sense, but this is what I got out of the song: So I guess it starts off as maybe a priest (or could be anyone, but the line 'Put my trust in God that day, not the man that's taught his way.' makes me think so) raped a kid, and then told them basically, no one will believe you if you tattle, such and such "I was told that the world wouldn't believe me." Then it's just about how he's not going to be silent anymore, and have them found guilty and sentenced to death. A story along those lines anyways.
I think the new album is going to be great!
also, I think the line 'The temple he just passed' is supposed to be 'the temple he trespassed.' I had posted the wrong lyrics before somewhere else (BT boards-Go there!), and that's what other people thought it should be.