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.
And as they say, grief is only able to possess
The rotting body clad in ancient clothes
Is left behind with a wave of the hand
I have gone away the bed is cold and empty
Trees bend their boughs toward the earth
And nighttime birds float as black faces
It was the hand reaching out through the mirror
Unknown and scarred by life
The luring eyes, you had never seen
You have nothing more to find
You have nothing more to loose
The cold season drifts over the land
They huddle in the brown corners
Some would settle for less
The castles were all empty, asleep
Long awaiting their king
Beckoning round the bend
Amidst the forest one would hear that I had been there
Draped within a fate I could not change,
And always welcoming winter's epilogue
The rotting body clad in ancient clothes
Is left behind with a wave of the hand
I have gone away the bed is cold and empty
Trees bend their boughs toward the earth
And nighttime birds float as black faces
It was the hand reaching out through the mirror
Unknown and scarred by life
The luring eyes, you had never seen
You have nothing more to find
You have nothing more to loose
The cold season drifts over the land
They huddle in the brown corners
Some would settle for less
The castles were all empty, asleep
Long awaiting their king
Beckoning round the bend
Amidst the forest one would hear that I had been there
Draped within a fate I could not change,
And always welcoming winter's epilogue
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well i guess its a little more positive. this is the turning point for the ghost, he realises that this is no longer his place, look at the songs before karma, do you notice how many times the word you is in it? in this song there is not a single you. meaning he has left the female person in the story, he is no longer around her anymore " i have gone a away, the bed is cold and empty"
this is the song in wich the ghost finds comfort in his death and can go on into the afterlife , wich happens in the last song epilogue