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.
There’s a tree in an open field
Branches reach for the sun
With the green of a thousand leaves
And a world that has just begun
The springtime is here again
Buds and blossoms abound
Promises of future days
And new life that is all around
See the last leaf shivering
As the winds did blow
Holding tight to what she knew
For fear of the unknown
Soon the spring turned to summertime
She could never deny
How she loved her home up there
In between the earth and sky
Still to drift on a summer breeze
Was to taste paradise
But that summer would turn to fall
And the autumn would turn to ice
See the last leaf shivering
As the winds did blow
Holding tight to what she knew
For fear of the unknown
In the harvest of golden days
Leaves were turning to fire
Dancing upon the autumn breeze
Like a princess on the high wire
One by one through the dancers dove
Spiralling to the ground
Carried off on a winter wind
Disappearing without a sound
See the last leaf shivering
As the winds did blow
Holding tight to what she knew
For fear of the unknown
So the last leaf took to flight
As the winds did blow
Holding tight to what could be
Finally letting go
Branches reach for the sun
With the green of a thousand leaves
And a world that has just begun
The springtime is here again
Buds and blossoms abound
Promises of future days
And new life that is all around
See the last leaf shivering
As the winds did blow
Holding tight to what she knew
For fear of the unknown
Soon the spring turned to summertime
She could never deny
How she loved her home up there
In between the earth and sky
Still to drift on a summer breeze
Was to taste paradise
But that summer would turn to fall
And the autumn would turn to ice
See the last leaf shivering
As the winds did blow
Holding tight to what she knew
For fear of the unknown
In the harvest of golden days
Leaves were turning to fire
Dancing upon the autumn breeze
Like a princess on the high wire
One by one through the dancers dove
Spiralling to the ground
Carried off on a winter wind
Disappearing without a sound
See the last leaf shivering
As the winds did blow
Holding tight to what she knew
For fear of the unknown
So the last leaf took to flight
As the winds did blow
Holding tight to what could be
Finally letting go
Lyrics submitted by EpicNight13
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