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 was the firstborn son of a firstborn son
In the wake of family tragedy
After fruitless years I was the chosen one
To plant the flag of destiny
To eyes who saw what they had seen
I was a screaming, bloody symbol
Of life and what it once had been
Before the marching crush of evil
I was the firstborn son of a firstborn son
We prayed each night to the risen God
For our loved ones health and safety
Then we locked the doors and windows up
So there was no danger and we were not free
The big, bad world was on the hunt
And its dogs were fixed on our scent
Clouds of fear may block the sun
Still the earth remains in orbit
God, help the man who helps himself! He needs no other devil
Give us courage now to say farewell to this fear and watch it crumble
I've worked a job since I was twelve years old
A student of the middle class of America
Pull up your bootstraps, baby, you're on your own
You are what you have and you don't have much
The manna rained down from the sky
And I looked for explanation
Moses walked the sea bone dry
In my father's generation
And this firstborn son won't stop asking why
Why!?!
God, help the man who helps himself! He needs no other devil
Give me courage now to face myself and dance as these walls crumble
Torn down by the blood of a firstborn son
In the wake of family tragedy
After fruitless years I was the chosen one
To plant the flag of destiny
To eyes who saw what they had seen
I was a screaming, bloody symbol
Of life and what it once had been
Before the marching crush of evil
I was the firstborn son of a firstborn son
We prayed each night to the risen God
For our loved ones health and safety
Then we locked the doors and windows up
So there was no danger and we were not free
The big, bad world was on the hunt
And its dogs were fixed on our scent
Clouds of fear may block the sun
Still the earth remains in orbit
God, help the man who helps himself! He needs no other devil
Give us courage now to say farewell to this fear and watch it crumble
I've worked a job since I was twelve years old
A student of the middle class of America
Pull up your bootstraps, baby, you're on your own
You are what you have and you don't have much
The manna rained down from the sky
And I looked for explanation
Moses walked the sea bone dry
In my father's generation
And this firstborn son won't stop asking why
Why!?!
God, help the man who helps himself! He needs no other devil
Give me courage now to face myself and dance as these walls crumble
Torn down by the blood of a firstborn son
Lyrics submitted by anointmyhead
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