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.
At the end of days, at the end of time.
When the Sun burns out will any of this matter.
Who will be there to remember who we were?
Who will be there to know that any of this had meaning for us?
And in retrospect I'll say we've done no wrong.
Who are we to judge what is right and what has purpose for us?
With designs upon ourselves to do no wrong,
running wild unaware of what might come of us.
The Sun was born, so it shall die, so only shadows comfort me.
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me.
Each day shall end as it begins and though you're far away from me
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me
Without a thought I will see everything eternal,
forget that once we were just dust from heavens fire.
As we were forged we shall return, perhaps some day.
I will remember us and wonder who we were.
When the Sun burns out will any of this matter.
Who will be there to remember who we were?
Who will be there to know that any of this had meaning for us?
And in retrospect I'll say we've done no wrong.
Who are we to judge what is right and what has purpose for us?
With designs upon ourselves to do no wrong,
running wild unaware of what might come of us.
The Sun was born, so it shall die, so only shadows comfort me.
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me.
Each day shall end as it begins and though you're far away from me
I know in darkness I will find you giving up inside like me
Without a thought I will see everything eternal,
forget that once we were just dust from heavens fire.
As we were forged we shall return, perhaps some day.
I will remember us and wonder who we were.
Lyrics submitted by Mopnugget, edited by kickingjay, Vehementi-
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My favorite VNV Nation song. So dark, so feelingful, so.. existential!
It raises both a question about where the mechanism called "humanity" leads us, whether it's positive or not (but who can say what's right or wrong? Nicely put..) and for me there is also a hopefull thought. In these wonderful lyrics: "The Sun was born, so it shall die..... ...each day shall end as it begins"
It's like it says for me that no matter what, no matter where humanity goes, no matter if there will be destruction, armageddons or the loss of civilization (end of days), maybe that is bound to happen. The sun was born so it shall die. And then the sun rises and dies again. It's like a life cycle, a cycle of our civilization where things must die for a new beginning.
So, it's hopeful that whatever happens in our world, no matter how destructive, it's always a reason for a new beginning and a brighter(?) future. Even though the song is dark and bitter but there is a hidden hope in it I feel. When this song was uploaded in the net you could find it with the title "end of days" which is not the right title. "Further" is how it should be and it fits more the feeling of hope. The title is not focused on "end of days" - destruction/loss, but "further", like saying that things will move further, that's the point, the cycle that brings up a new perhaps better future after each loss..
..is it mixed with a loss of someone you love as several people say? In some of the lyrics in between my favorite parts of the lyrics, it seems like this even though it doesn't make much sense. Anyways,. I like more the existential interpretation even though they could be mixed somehow :P