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 came dancin' across the water
With his galleons and guns
Lookin' for the new world
And the palace in the sun
On the shore lay Montezuma
With his coca leaves and pearls
In his halls, he often wandered
With the secrets of the world
And his subjects gathered 'round him
Like the leaves around a tree
In their clothes of many colors
For the angry gods to see
And the women all were beautiful
And the men stood straight and strong
They offered life in sacrifice
So that others could go on
Hate was just a legend
And war was never known
People worked together
And they lifted many stones
And they carried them to the flat lands
But they died along the way
And they built up with their bare hands
What we still can't do today
And I know she's livin' there
And she loves me to this day
I still can't remember when
Or how I lost my way
He came dancin' across the water
Cortez, Cortez
What a killer
With his galleons and guns
Lookin' for the new world
And the palace in the sun
On the shore lay Montezuma
With his coca leaves and pearls
In his halls, he often wandered
With the secrets of the world
And his subjects gathered 'round him
Like the leaves around a tree
In their clothes of many colors
For the angry gods to see
And the women all were beautiful
And the men stood straight and strong
They offered life in sacrifice
So that others could go on
Hate was just a legend
And war was never known
People worked together
And they lifted many stones
And they carried them to the flat lands
But they died along the way
And they built up with their bare hands
What we still can't do today
And I know she's livin' there
And she loves me to this day
I still can't remember when
Or how I lost my way
He came dancin' across the water
Cortez, Cortez
What a killer
Lyrics submitted by H-bomb, edited by smallwonderrobot
Cortez the Killer Lyrics as written by Neil Young
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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