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.
Dead man dog at the graveyard fence
he wanna go where his master went
Cop shoot man 'cause the knife got bent
and the landlord suin' for the backward rent
Man bite dog 'cause the master dead
and the dog just glad that someone got fed
Man shoot wife 'cause the knife got bent
and the wife take offense to the message that sent
Chief leave nothin' before he drop
hock his rhymes at the pawn-it shop
mail his feather to an astronaut
Spent all the cash on a corner plot
Spaceman glad at the deal he got
he second line in space a lot
Them cowboys love them indian mask
and they write it off on the turbotax
We got no money 'cause we just got paid
We smoke in packs on the esplanade
We trawl for oil where they stumped the oak
and we we can't go home 'cause the river broke
We got no money 'cause we just got paid
We smoke in packs on the esplanade
We trawl for oil where they stumped the oak
and we we can't go home 'cause the river broke
he wanna go where his master went
Cop shoot man 'cause the knife got bent
and the landlord suin' for the backward rent
Man bite dog 'cause the master dead
and the dog just glad that someone got fed
Man shoot wife 'cause the knife got bent
and the wife take offense to the message that sent
Chief leave nothin' before he drop
hock his rhymes at the pawn-it shop
mail his feather to an astronaut
Spent all the cash on a corner plot
Spaceman glad at the deal he got
he second line in space a lot
Them cowboys love them indian mask
and they write it off on the turbotax
We got no money 'cause we just got paid
We smoke in packs on the esplanade
We trawl for oil where they stumped the oak
and we we can't go home 'cause the river broke
We got no money 'cause we just got paid
We smoke in packs on the esplanade
We trawl for oil where they stumped the oak
and we we can't go home 'cause the river broke
Lyrics submitted by Lateralus518
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A nod to Earl King? hurricanebrassband.nl/Repertoire%20big%20chief.htm
This song uses terminology related to Mardi Gras (Second-line, Esplanade, a street in New Orleans). It also feels like the above song, except turned on its head and given a more modern scenario.
amazing input there Lateralus.. Tool was my first band, and everything Kevin Moore does has become my most recent muse. God bless their souls and yours. Spiral out.