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 there on the bridge, where have you been? What's your name?
And you there on the wall, where will you go to once you fall?
You lost at sea, do you need me, do need directions?
Hey, put down the gun. What are you thinking? You were someone's son.
The taste of tears, the sting of pain,
The smell of fear, the sounds of crying now.
A long, long time ago I fell to this place from another dimension,
And thrust amongst the beasts and the way they behave borders on dementia.
And now through all these years I can barely take it, I don't think I can make it.
Take me away from here, I want to go home...I'm so sick and tired of
The taste of tears, the sting of pain,
The smell of fear, the sounds of crying.
Now, as you stand around the edge of your life
What do you remember, was it all you wanted ?
I'm trying to earn a set of feathery wings
I wish I could protect you here
Oh please don't cry now, smile
As you stand around the edge of your life
You're troubles are over, mine are just beginning.
I'm trying to earn a set of feathery wings to take me away from here.
It's me you leave behind.
Oh, if only I could have been there, I'd be a hand for the sinking.
If only I could have been there, I'd be a prayer for the dying.
See the pain etched in my face...oh, I'm so sick and tried of
The taste of tears, the sting of pain
The smell of fear, the sounds of crying
Now, as you stand around the edge of your life,
what do you remember, was it all you wanted?
I'm trying to earn a set of feathery wings
I wish I could protect you here
Oh please don't cry now, smile
As you stand around the edge of your life
You're troubles are over, mine are just beginning
I'm trying earn a set of feathery wings to take me away from here
It's me you leave...
You're gone from here,
Don't leave from here,
Don't leave me here,
I hate it here,
You're gone from here,
Don't leave me here,
I need you here,
I need to see you smile.
And you there on the wall, where will you go to once you fall?
You lost at sea, do you need me, do need directions?
Hey, put down the gun. What are you thinking? You were someone's son.
The taste of tears, the sting of pain,
The smell of fear, the sounds of crying now.
A long, long time ago I fell to this place from another dimension,
And thrust amongst the beasts and the way they behave borders on dementia.
And now through all these years I can barely take it, I don't think I can make it.
Take me away from here, I want to go home...I'm so sick and tired of
The taste of tears, the sting of pain,
The smell of fear, the sounds of crying.
Now, as you stand around the edge of your life
What do you remember, was it all you wanted ?
I'm trying to earn a set of feathery wings
I wish I could protect you here
Oh please don't cry now, smile
As you stand around the edge of your life
You're troubles are over, mine are just beginning.
I'm trying to earn a set of feathery wings to take me away from here.
It's me you leave behind.
Oh, if only I could have been there, I'd be a hand for the sinking.
If only I could have been there, I'd be a prayer for the dying.
See the pain etched in my face...oh, I'm so sick and tried of
The taste of tears, the sting of pain
The smell of fear, the sounds of crying
Now, as you stand around the edge of your life,
what do you remember, was it all you wanted?
I'm trying to earn a set of feathery wings
I wish I could protect you here
Oh please don't cry now, smile
As you stand around the edge of your life
You're troubles are over, mine are just beginning
I'm trying earn a set of feathery wings to take me away from here
It's me you leave...
You're gone from here,
Don't leave from here,
Don't leave me here,
I hate it here,
You're gone from here,
Don't leave me here,
I need you here,
I need to see you smile.
Lyrics submitted by faust
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