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.
Roll on
We'll roll on with our heads held high
Our conscience in the gutter
Our dreams up in the sky
The ship yards are deserted on the docks on Melbourne town
The wharfies standing strong
They gathered round to see what the union had to say
There's too much work and not enough pay
Say!
[Chorus]
We'll protest in peace keep the whole thing quiet
The last thing needed is a wage-fuelled riot
'Cos they don't really care
They're always standing there
Running from the outside
From the outside
Running from the outside world
Do you really care?
Why are you standing there?
Filming for the outside world
Do you really care?
Why are you standing there?
Filming for the outside world
Five weeks had passed when the union made it clear
Spirits slowly faded and the end was getting near
You see you're all expendable
And when all is said and done
You'll go back to work tomorrow
Or meet your new replacement son
Roll on
[Chorus]
We'll roll on with our heads held high
Our conscience in the gutter
Our dreams up in the sky
The ship yards are deserted on the docks on Melbourne town
The wharfies standing strong
They gathered round to see what the union had to say
There's too much work and not enough pay
Say!
[Chorus]
We'll protest in peace keep the whole thing quiet
The last thing needed is a wage-fuelled riot
'Cos they don't really care
They're always standing there
Running from the outside
From the outside
Running from the outside world
Do you really care?
Why are you standing there?
Filming for the outside world
Do you really care?
Why are you standing there?
Filming for the outside world
Five weeks had passed when the union made it clear
Spirits slowly faded and the end was getting near
You see you're all expendable
And when all is said and done
You'll go back to work tomorrow
Or meet your new replacement son
Roll on
[Chorus]
Lyrics submitted by WrathofCarnage
Roll On Lyrics as written by Chris Cheney
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
I know what you're talking about H2OGOPunx.....