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.
Water was running children were running
You were running out of time
Under the mountain, a golden fountain
Were you praying at the Lares shrine?
But oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Oh, oh your city lies in dust, my friend
We found you hiding we found you lying
Choking on the dirt and sand
Your former glories and all the stories
Dragged and washed with eager hands
But, oh oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Oh oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Your city lies in dust
Water was running children were running
We found you hiding we found you lying
Water was running children were running
We found you hiding we found you lying
Your city lies in dust, my friend
Oh oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Hot and burning in your nostrils
Pouring down your gaping mouth
Your molten bodies blanket of cinders
Caught in the throes
Oh oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Oh oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Your city lies in dust, my friend
Oh your city lies in dust, my friend
You were running out of time
Under the mountain, a golden fountain
Were you praying at the Lares shrine?
But oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Oh, oh your city lies in dust, my friend
We found you hiding we found you lying
Choking on the dirt and sand
Your former glories and all the stories
Dragged and washed with eager hands
But, oh oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Oh oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Your city lies in dust
Water was running children were running
We found you hiding we found you lying
Water was running children were running
We found you hiding we found you lying
Your city lies in dust, my friend
Oh oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Hot and burning in your nostrils
Pouring down your gaping mouth
Your molten bodies blanket of cinders
Caught in the throes
Oh oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Oh oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Oh your city lies in dust, my friend
Your city lies in dust, my friend
Oh your city lies in dust, my friend
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