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 have got a heavier heart I must give it away
Maybe it's not too late to regret now
I have gone into the deepest dark
I stained my hands with blood
And if the end won't be painful
I should be grateful
I just wanted to see the sky
Open the one last time
I just wanted to feel the rain
Washing away the pain
Washing away the shame
I know fate's deciding for everyone
And that for everything
That we do there's a reason
All my life I have been asking why
I never thought I would get it together but finally now
As I'm leaving life has a meaning
I just wanted to see the sky
Open the one last time
I just wanted to feel the shine
It could have been divine
Give me one more night
I will make things right
I have changed my ways
All I need is time
Give me one more day
Let me clear the way
I'll make up my crime
I will do my time and
I have done terrible things
I must pay for the sins I've done
And now my world is in pieces
I got lost down in the blazing fire
Traded my soul for a minute of pleasure
And now I must pay for the worthless treasure
I just wanted to see the sky
Open the one last time
I just wanted to feel the wind
Welcome the virgin snow
Before it's my time to go
I have got a heavier heart I must give it away
Maybe it's not too late to regret now
Maybe it's not too late to regret now
I have gone into the deepest dark
I stained my hands with blood
And if the end won't be painful
I should be grateful
I just wanted to see the sky
Open the one last time
I just wanted to feel the rain
Washing away the pain
Washing away the shame
I know fate's deciding for everyone
And that for everything
That we do there's a reason
All my life I have been asking why
I never thought I would get it together but finally now
As I'm leaving life has a meaning
I just wanted to see the sky
Open the one last time
I just wanted to feel the shine
It could have been divine
Give me one more night
I will make things right
I have changed my ways
All I need is time
Give me one more day
Let me clear the way
I'll make up my crime
I will do my time and
I have done terrible things
I must pay for the sins I've done
And now my world is in pieces
I got lost down in the blazing fire
Traded my soul for a minute of pleasure
And now I must pay for the worthless treasure
I just wanted to see the sky
Open the one last time
I just wanted to feel the wind
Welcome the virgin snow
Before it's my time to go
I have got a heavier heart I must give it away
Maybe it's not too late to regret now
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Great version of a great song,
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It sounds like someone is dying, and they desperately want more time to live so they can set right all the things they did wrong before they go. I could be wrong, but that's what I took from it. I LOVE this song either way :)
This is my favorite song from the album. I felt in love when I listened to the lyrics, it's so beautiful, Lauri indeed is my favorite lyric composer. It seems that the meaning has something to do with regret, a dark burden inside his heart. Something happened and it bring torture and everyday mortification. Now is looking somehow for redemption, or maybe one last moment of peace before his "time to go".
Leaving aside this I have a personal view of this song. I was reading a book at the time I listened to this song and all the story felt perfectly interpreted by it. I know it has nothing to do with it, but I can't help but think about the story when I listen to it. The book name is "Shatter Me" and the main character, Juliet, is the one who should have wrote that song. She is a prisoner, in isolation, and she thinks she did something horrible, so she deserve to be suffering like she is. Every day while she looked trough the window she just wanted to see the sky, and feel the rain.