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.
He left his dead in the cottonwood trees
The ground grown too hard with the years
Falling down was not what it used to be
The ground grown too hard with the years
He told his children those little white lies
The truth would only paralyze them
He told himself those little white lies
The truth would only paralyze him
Lay it down, lay it down
He sold most of what he cherished,
The rest he let them steal
Shot his dog out in the open field,
The rest he let them steal
He broke all of his promises,
Under a sea green sky
They never thought to ask him why,
Under a sea green sky
Lay it down, lay it down
Please bury me in the cottonwood trees
The ground grown too cold for me
Going to sleep tonight in a warm feather bed
The ground grown too cold for me
Lay it down, lay it down
The ground grown too hard with the years
Falling down was not what it used to be
The ground grown too hard with the years
He told his children those little white lies
The truth would only paralyze them
He told himself those little white lies
The truth would only paralyze him
Lay it down, lay it down
He sold most of what he cherished,
The rest he let them steal
Shot his dog out in the open field,
The rest he let them steal
He broke all of his promises,
Under a sea green sky
They never thought to ask him why,
Under a sea green sky
Lay it down, lay it down
Please bury me in the cottonwood trees
The ground grown too cold for me
Going to sleep tonight in a warm feather bed
The ground grown too cold for me
Lay it down, lay it down
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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Laying it down, settling up, getting rid of what's not needed, making peace, getting ready for demise on their on accord. Like suicide.
Sly
This is a medaphore for heroin addiction. Brilliantly dealt with.
@allifield This is super insightful. "Sold most of what he cherished", sleeping in a "warm feather-bed" are very reminiscent of opioid addiction.<br /> <br />
This song is about an old man who has just buried his wife "...he left his dead in the cottonwood trees". He is now planning his own death but does not want to confront it ("he told himself those little white lies..."). He is dismantling what remains of his life and wants to be buried with his wife. A very heart-wrenching song.