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'm a freeborn man of the travelling people
Got no fixed abode, and no one is my master
Country lanes and byways were always my ways
I never fancied being lumbered
In the open field you could stop and linger
And the small birds sang when wintertime was over
You could pack your load and be on the road
They were good old times for the rover
And sometimes we'd meet up with other people
Hear the news or else swap family information
At the country fair we'd be meeting there
All the peoples of the travelling nation
I've made willow creels and the heather besoms
And I've even done some begging and some hawkin'
And I've lain there spent wrapped up in my tent
And I've listened to the old folks talking
All you freeborn men of the travelling people
Every tinker, rolling stone and gypsy rover
Winds of change are blowing, old ways are going
Your travelling days will soon be over
I'm a freeborn man of the travelling people
Got no fixed abode, and no man is my master
Country lanes and byways were always my ways
I never fancied going faster
Got no fixed abode, and no one is my master
Country lanes and byways were always my ways
I never fancied being lumbered
In the open field you could stop and linger
And the small birds sang when wintertime was over
You could pack your load and be on the road
They were good old times for the rover
And sometimes we'd meet up with other people
Hear the news or else swap family information
At the country fair we'd be meeting there
All the peoples of the travelling nation
I've made willow creels and the heather besoms
And I've even done some begging and some hawkin'
And I've lain there spent wrapped up in my tent
And I've listened to the old folks talking
All you freeborn men of the travelling people
Every tinker, rolling stone and gypsy rover
Winds of change are blowing, old ways are going
Your travelling days will soon be over
I'm a freeborn man of the travelling people
Got no fixed abode, and no man is my master
Country lanes and byways were always my ways
I never fancied going faster
Lyrics submitted by epiwoosh
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Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
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This folk song written by Ewan MacColl is about Irish travelers, who are considered the gypsies of Ireland and have been similarly discriminated against. It describes their nomadic ways, but also tells about a coming time when they'll no longer need to be nomadic to feel free. In that way I think it's an optimistic song about a freer and much more tolerant future for the world in general. Anyway, Shane sounds a bit listless in this demo (for what reasons we can only guess... :) ), so if you want to listen to the song in all its glory, the Dubliners with Luke Kelly up front do a magnificent version.