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.
I know you; I met you
A long, long time ago.
But you're still a stranger,
There's so much I don't know.
Can I walk across your borders?
Will your guardsmen let me through?
I have empty hands and pockets.
I intend no harm to you.
So tell me your stories
And I might tell you mine;
We're both getting closer
To once upon a time.
Can I wander through your country,
Learn its secret history?
I have never walked these marches,
But it feels like home to me.
We're each of us a nation on our own,
And I am a cartographer at heart.
I will chart the valley of your dreams, call the secrets from your stones.
If you don't want me to love you, then please don't let me start.
So trust me; believe me
When I say I'll take care.
I can't come the whole way;
I'll meet you halfway there.
Come and wander through my cities,
Meet the people I have been.
I have left my gates unguarded.
You are welcome, please, come in.
We're each of us a nation on our own,
And I am a cartographer at heart.
I will chart the valley of your dreams, call the secrets from your stones.
If you don't want me to love you, then please don't let me start.
I would love to learn your customs,
To be a tourist in your lands.
I would love to learn your language,
And teach you mine, so we'll both understand
What we're trying to say...
I know it's not easy
To leave your doors unbarred.
It's never been easy --
It shouldn't be this hard.
We are each of us an island,
With our separate rocky shores,
But an island's not a prison --
That's what men make bridges for.
We're each of us a nation on our own,
And I am a cartographer at heart.
I will chart the valley of your dreams, call the secrets from your stones.
If you don't want me to love you, then please don't let me start.
If you don't want me to love you, won't you tell me not to start?
Written on: 2007-01-09. Seanan McGuire
A long, long time ago.
But you're still a stranger,
There's so much I don't know.
Can I walk across your borders?
Will your guardsmen let me through?
I have empty hands and pockets.
I intend no harm to you.
So tell me your stories
And I might tell you mine;
We're both getting closer
To once upon a time.
Can I wander through your country,
Learn its secret history?
I have never walked these marches,
But it feels like home to me.
We're each of us a nation on our own,
And I am a cartographer at heart.
I will chart the valley of your dreams, call the secrets from your stones.
If you don't want me to love you, then please don't let me start.
So trust me; believe me
When I say I'll take care.
I can't come the whole way;
I'll meet you halfway there.
Come and wander through my cities,
Meet the people I have been.
I have left my gates unguarded.
You are welcome, please, come in.
We're each of us a nation on our own,
And I am a cartographer at heart.
I will chart the valley of your dreams, call the secrets from your stones.
If you don't want me to love you, then please don't let me start.
I would love to learn your customs,
To be a tourist in your lands.
I would love to learn your language,
And teach you mine, so we'll both understand
What we're trying to say...
I know it's not easy
To leave your doors unbarred.
It's never been easy --
It shouldn't be this hard.
We are each of us an island,
With our separate rocky shores,
But an island's not a prison --
That's what men make bridges for.
We're each of us a nation on our own,
And I am a cartographer at heart.
I will chart the valley of your dreams, call the secrets from your stones.
If you don't want me to love you, then please don't let me start.
If you don't want me to love you, won't you tell me not to start?
Written on: 2007-01-09. Seanan McGuire
Lyrics submitted by Nonny
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