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.
You wake up every morning
In this living hell
Not knowing that
You're worst enemy is me
You never know what can happen
Within this cell
Betrayal is what I feel
Revenge is what I seek
No hesitation, no turning back
I gotta do it, I have no choice
Gotta do what I
Gotta do for the crew
Down by law
What you did I can't
Forgive my so called brother
I can't let my feelings
Get in the way
Why you turn your back
On the crew
We always had your back
We'd die for you
You ratted on your boy
Something you never do
Now his life is over
And yours is too
Down by law
We made a promise to eachother
A promise that you choose to break
We stuck together no matter what
My brother
You turned you're back
And proved you're fake
Repeat 2nd verse
Down by law
You've left me no choise
The strength of a gesture
A thought with no voice
Repeat chorus
The clock is ticking
You're time is up
Now's my chance, I gotta move fast
Our memories I put to rest
It's the law we chose to live by
You broke the fuckin' rules
You must die
Why
In this living hell
Not knowing that
You're worst enemy is me
You never know what can happen
Within this cell
Betrayal is what I feel
Revenge is what I seek
No hesitation, no turning back
I gotta do it, I have no choice
Gotta do what I
Gotta do for the crew
Down by law
What you did I can't
Forgive my so called brother
I can't let my feelings
Get in the way
Why you turn your back
On the crew
We always had your back
We'd die for you
You ratted on your boy
Something you never do
Now his life is over
And yours is too
Down by law
We made a promise to eachother
A promise that you choose to break
We stuck together no matter what
My brother
You turned you're back
And proved you're fake
Repeat 2nd verse
Down by law
You've left me no choise
The strength of a gesture
A thought with no voice
Repeat chorus
The clock is ticking
You're time is up
Now's my chance, I gotta move fast
Our memories I put to rest
It's the law we chose to live by
You broke the fuckin' rules
You must die
Why
Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death
Down by Law Lyrics as written by Jorge Guerra Fred Cricien
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This song rocks!!! It's the song that got me into what my hardcore friends call, "New-York style hardcore."