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 never knew blindness
Would creep in with the gift of sight
And if you'd permit me
To be honest
I've lost some peace
And I've lost almost all my fight
I've grown tired of making claims
On this intangible exchange
So for now I'll just sit here in the silence
But I must admit
I'm still listening for my name
Oh, I don't know Jesus
Oh, and I hope you'll understand
Oh, I don't know Jesus
I'm still haunted by a ghost
But I never met the man
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, then I was found
Then I got lost again
For want of mystery
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
Oh but now in this freedom I've found
I'm starting to fear
How far this grace is gonna lead
Oh, I don't know Jesus
Oh, and I hope you'll understand
Oh, I don't know Jesus
Still I'm haunted by a ghost
But I never met the man
I never met the man
I'm still haunted by a ghost
But I never met the man
I'm still haunted by a ghost
I never met the man
Would creep in with the gift of sight
And if you'd permit me
To be honest
I've lost some peace
And I've lost almost all my fight
I've grown tired of making claims
On this intangible exchange
So for now I'll just sit here in the silence
But I must admit
I'm still listening for my name
Oh, I don't know Jesus
Oh, and I hope you'll understand
Oh, I don't know Jesus
I'm still haunted by a ghost
But I never met the man
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, then I was found
Then I got lost again
For want of mystery
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
Oh but now in this freedom I've found
I'm starting to fear
How far this grace is gonna lead
Oh, I don't know Jesus
Oh, and I hope you'll understand
Oh, I don't know Jesus
Still I'm haunted by a ghost
But I never met the man
I never met the man
I'm still haunted by a ghost
But I never met the man
I'm still haunted by a ghost
I never met the man
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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