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.
Looking back to a better time, when life was good and there was little crime,
Children played on their pogo sticks and on Saturdays went to the local flicks,
And we all drank big bottles of pop, especially dandelion and burdock,
What I'd give for a tiny slurp, though it stung your nose and it made you burp,
We were always polite to bobbies, on Remembrance Day we all wore poppies,
And we all had useful hobbies.
Well I did.
At the Crich Tram Museum, I was with a friend called Ian,
We were there from nine 'til chucking out time, there was so much there worth seeing.
At the Crich Tram Museum, disaster befell poor Ian,
A vicious jasper made him drop his dandelion and burdock.
Oh, that jasper made him drop his dandelion and burdock.
Ian's bottle had developed a crack so he couldn't get his deposit back,
Tuppence may not seem a lot but it would by you a big, fat lollipop,
Black Jacks were ten a penny, remember now I'm talking old money,
Not that we ever had any. But we were happy.
Riding with my peers, the wind whistling through my ears,
As we reached Mam Tor I was grateful for my Sturmey Archer gears.
At the Crich Tram Museum, I was with a friend called Ian,
We were there from nine 'til chucking out time, there was so much there worth seeing.
At the Crich Tram Museum, disaster befell poor Ian,
A vicious jasper made him drop his dandelion and burdock.
Oh, that jasper made him drop his dandelion and burdock.
Oh, but how I'd love a drop of dandelion and burdock.
Children played on their pogo sticks and on Saturdays went to the local flicks,
And we all drank big bottles of pop, especially dandelion and burdock,
What I'd give for a tiny slurp, though it stung your nose and it made you burp,
We were always polite to bobbies, on Remembrance Day we all wore poppies,
And we all had useful hobbies.
Well I did.
At the Crich Tram Museum, I was with a friend called Ian,
We were there from nine 'til chucking out time, there was so much there worth seeing.
At the Crich Tram Museum, disaster befell poor Ian,
A vicious jasper made him drop his dandelion and burdock.
Oh, that jasper made him drop his dandelion and burdock.
Ian's bottle had developed a crack so he couldn't get his deposit back,
Tuppence may not seem a lot but it would by you a big, fat lollipop,
Black Jacks were ten a penny, remember now I'm talking old money,
Not that we ever had any. But we were happy.
Riding with my peers, the wind whistling through my ears,
As we reached Mam Tor I was grateful for my Sturmey Archer gears.
At the Crich Tram Museum, I was with a friend called Ian,
We were there from nine 'til chucking out time, there was so much there worth seeing.
At the Crich Tram Museum, disaster befell poor Ian,
A vicious jasper made him drop his dandelion and burdock.
Oh, that jasper made him drop his dandelion and burdock.
Oh, but how I'd love a drop of dandelion and burdock.
Lyrics submitted by driver08uk
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