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 cowboy was drunk and braggin'
He told her he had a wagon
A wagon filled up with gold that he'd stole
And then covered all over with hay
She cried when she learned what he'd done that day
The girl who loved the man who robbed the bank
At Santa Fe and got away
Please take it all back she pleaded
Said his love was all she needed
But he said, "I only did it for you
So don't you look at me that way."
Because she loved him so, she said okay
The girl who loved the man who robbed the bank
At Santa Fe and got away
But that night while she lay in the arms of her man
He talked in his sleep and she discovered his plan
He talked in his sleep and gave himself away
When he talked of another girl waiting in San Jose
With the same loving hands that thrilled him
She picked up his gun and killed him
She killed him and threw his gold dust all over his body
Right there where it lay
She was the only mourner there that prayed
The girl who shot the man who robbed the bank
At Santa Fe and got away
He told her he had a wagon
A wagon filled up with gold that he'd stole
And then covered all over with hay
She cried when she learned what he'd done that day
The girl who loved the man who robbed the bank
At Santa Fe and got away
Please take it all back she pleaded
Said his love was all she needed
But he said, "I only did it for you
So don't you look at me that way."
Because she loved him so, she said okay
The girl who loved the man who robbed the bank
At Santa Fe and got away
But that night while she lay in the arms of her man
He talked in his sleep and she discovered his plan
He talked in his sleep and gave himself away
When he talked of another girl waiting in San Jose
With the same loving hands that thrilled him
She picked up his gun and killed him
She killed him and threw his gold dust all over his body
Right there where it lay
She was the only mourner there that prayed
The girl who shot the man who robbed the bank
At Santa Fe and got away
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
The Man Who Robbed the Bank at Santa Fe Lyrics as written by Mike Stoller Jerry Leiber
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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