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 cross the oceans
I cross the seas
I cross the mountains
Like a newer disease
I cross the borders
I cross the line
Never tell, see the light
Till the end of time
I've seen the canyons
I've seen the cities
I've seen the prisons
Takes such pity
When it comes to you
When it come to me
It's just money
Set's you free
hey my children...
What seems important, won't last forever
hey my children...
What seems important, won't last forever
Take a look at the earth, from a plane
You'll see the earth, cut up and plain
Take a look at L.A., from the sky
What you see, should make you cry
hey my children...
What seems important, won't last forever
hey my children...
What seems important, won't last forever
I'm the scum of the earth...
I'm the scum of the earth...
I'm the scum of the earth...
I'm the scum of the earth...
I'm the scum of the earth...
I'm the scum of the earth...
I'm the scum of the earth...
I'm the scum of the earth...
I'm the scum of the earth...
I am my cancer
I'm the scum of the earth...
I am my cancer
I'm the scum of the earth...
I am my cancer
I'm the scum of the earth...
I am my cancer
I'm the scum of the earth...
I am humanity
I am humanity
I am humanity
I am humanity
hey my children...
What seems important, won't last forever
hey my children...
What seems important, won't last forever
hey my children...
What seems important, won't last forever
hey my children...
What seems important, won't last forever
I cross the seas
I cross the mountains
Like a newer disease
I cross the borders
I cross the line
Never tell, see the light
Till the end of time
I've seen the canyons
I've seen the cities
I've seen the prisons
Takes such pity
When it comes to you
When it come to me
It's just money
Set's you free
hey my children...
What seems important, won't last forever
hey my children...
What seems important, won't last forever
Take a look at the earth, from a plane
You'll see the earth, cut up and plain
Take a look at L.A., from the sky
What you see, should make you cry
hey my children...
What seems important, won't last forever
hey my children...
What seems important, won't last forever
I'm the scum of the earth...
I'm the scum of the earth...
I'm the scum of the earth...
I'm the scum of the earth...
I'm the scum of the earth...
I'm the scum of the earth...
I'm the scum of the earth...
I'm the scum of the earth...
I'm the scum of the earth...
I am my cancer
I'm the scum of the earth...
I am my cancer
I'm the scum of the earth...
I am my cancer
I'm the scum of the earth...
I am my cancer
I'm the scum of the earth...
I am humanity
I am humanity
I am humanity
I am humanity
hey my children...
What seems important, won't last forever
hey my children...
What seems important, won't last forever
hey my children...
What seems important, won't last forever
hey my children...
What seems important, won't last forever
Lyrics submitted by spitfirek7
Cancer Lyrics as written by Richard Michael Patrick
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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yeah, humanity's the scum of the earth. killed everything, destroyed everything....ps: me don't think the song's anti-american...Richard Patrick loves his country too much.