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.
D'ya remember back in the Five Points
When the fire was in the air
And the streets were hot as the hob of hell
And the bodies was everywhere
Then ould Johnny jumped up on a burnin' plank
He roared out to the sky
"I didn't come here to America
To give up the ghost and die"
I didn't come here to America
Across the ragin' foam
To die like a slave in a pigsty
I came here to find a home
Where I could live with dignity
And hold me head up high
So don't go messin' with me or me family
Or I'll blow these Five Points to the sky
Them soldier boys are runnin' wild
Down by the Gates of Hell
I must get to St. Patrick's
To ring the warnin' bell
I won't join their bloody army
Sooner burn down Kerosene Row
So to hell with your kings and your presidents
Let them fight their own bloody wars-oh
Don't say you love me
Unless you really do
I haven't got time to be wastin' on the likes of you
Don't say you'll sleep with me
Unless you'll follow through
Them bully boys are closin' in
They'll be crackin' heads for the price of gin
But they better look out 'cause - here come the Boys in Green
D'ya remember back in the Five Points
When the fire was in the air
And the streets were hot as the hob of hell
And the bodies was everywhere
And ould Johnny stood up on a burnin' plank
And he roared out to the sky
I didn't come here to America
To give up the ghost and die
I didn't come here to America
Across the ragin' foam
To die like a slave in a pigsty
I came here to find a home
Where I could live with dignity
And hold me head up high
So don't go messin' with me or me family
Or I'll blow these Five Points to the sky
When the fire was in the air
And the streets were hot as the hob of hell
And the bodies was everywhere
Then ould Johnny jumped up on a burnin' plank
He roared out to the sky
"I didn't come here to America
To give up the ghost and die"
I didn't come here to America
Across the ragin' foam
To die like a slave in a pigsty
I came here to find a home
Where I could live with dignity
And hold me head up high
So don't go messin' with me or me family
Or I'll blow these Five Points to the sky
Them soldier boys are runnin' wild
Down by the Gates of Hell
I must get to St. Patrick's
To ring the warnin' bell
I won't join their bloody army
Sooner burn down Kerosene Row
So to hell with your kings and your presidents
Let them fight their own bloody wars-oh
Don't say you love me
Unless you really do
I haven't got time to be wastin' on the likes of you
Don't say you'll sleep with me
Unless you'll follow through
Them bully boys are closin' in
They'll be crackin' heads for the price of gin
But they better look out 'cause - here come the Boys in Green
D'ya remember back in the Five Points
When the fire was in the air
And the streets were hot as the hob of hell
And the bodies was everywhere
And ould Johnny stood up on a burnin' plank
And he roared out to the sky
I didn't come here to America
To give up the ghost and die
I didn't come here to America
Across the ragin' foam
To die like a slave in a pigsty
I came here to find a home
Where I could live with dignity
And hold me head up high
So don't go messin' with me or me family
Or I'll blow these Five Points to the sky
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
Five Points Lyrics as written by Laurence T Kirwan
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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