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.
This is a crisis I knew had to come
Destroying the balance I'd kept
Doubting, unsettling, and turning around
Wondering what will come next
Is this the role that you wanted to live?
I was foolish to ask for so much
Without the protection and infancy's guard
It all falls apart at first touch
Watching the reel as it comes to a close
Brutally taking its time
People who change for no reason at all
It's happening all of the time
Can I go on with this train of events?
Disturbing and purging my mind
Back out of my duties, when all's said and done
I know that I'll lose every time
Moving along in our God-given ways
Safety is sat by the fire
Sanctuary from these feverish smiles
Left with a mark on the door
Is this the gift that I wanted to give?
Forgive and forget's what they teach
Or pass through the deserts and wastelands once more
And watch as they drop by the beach
This is the crisis I knew had to come
Destroying the balance I'd kept
Turning around to the next set of lives
Wondering what will come next
Destroying the balance I'd kept
Doubting, unsettling, and turning around
Wondering what will come next
Is this the role that you wanted to live?
I was foolish to ask for so much
Without the protection and infancy's guard
It all falls apart at first touch
Watching the reel as it comes to a close
Brutally taking its time
People who change for no reason at all
It's happening all of the time
Can I go on with this train of events?
Disturbing and purging my mind
Back out of my duties, when all's said and done
I know that I'll lose every time
Moving along in our God-given ways
Safety is sat by the fire
Sanctuary from these feverish smiles
Left with a mark on the door
Is this the gift that I wanted to give?
Forgive and forget's what they teach
Or pass through the deserts and wastelands once more
And watch as they drop by the beach
This is the crisis I knew had to come
Destroying the balance I'd kept
Turning around to the next set of lives
Wondering what will come next
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Yes, but why passover? What's the connection?
It isn't just a title, the theme runs through the song. "Left with a mark on the door"- the holiday of passover celebrates the rise of the Hebrew slaves from their Egyptian opressors. God supposedly asked the Hebrews to mark their doors with blood, so when he comes down to kill every firstborn he will not harm the Hebrew homes. Also "Pass through the deserts and wastelands"- exiting Egypt through the desert, wandering for 40 years.
I think it is about change. Your life has been very bad so far, but something very big is about to happen, that will destroy the balance. Maybe that change will hurt other people (like the ones in the bible, who were not spared- the Egyptians), and you are afraid, and not sure you want it to happen. The change might be good, but it might just lead you to another barren and sad place. You aren't sure about what to do, and "Wondering what will come next".
Just what I think.
In the song, however, the singer watches as they drop by the beach. There is some resolution. In other words, there is a problem. But the problem is overcome. Now we have to face another.