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.
When the sun comes up on a sleepy little town
Down around San Antone
And the folks are risin for another day
Round about their homes
The people of the town are strange
And they're proud of where they came
Well, you're talkin bout china grove
Oh, china grove
Well, the preacher and the teacher
Lord, they're a caution
They are the talk of the town
When the gossip gets to flyin
And they ain't lyin
When the sun goes fallin down
They say that the father's insane
And dear missus Perkins a game
Were talkin bout the china grove
Oh, china grove
But every day theres a new thing comin
The ways of an oriental view
The sheriff and his buddies
With their samurai swords
You can even hear the music at night
And though it's a part of the lone star state
People don't seem to care
They just keep on lookin to the east
Talkin bout the china grove
Oh, china grove
Down around San Antone
And the folks are risin for another day
Round about their homes
The people of the town are strange
And they're proud of where they came
Well, you're talkin bout china grove
Oh, china grove
Well, the preacher and the teacher
Lord, they're a caution
They are the talk of the town
When the gossip gets to flyin
And they ain't lyin
When the sun goes fallin down
They say that the father's insane
And dear missus Perkins a game
Were talkin bout the china grove
Oh, china grove
But every day theres a new thing comin
The ways of an oriental view
The sheriff and his buddies
With their samurai swords
You can even hear the music at night
And though it's a part of the lone star state
People don't seem to care
They just keep on lookin to the east
Talkin bout the china grove
Oh, china grove
Lyrics submitted by palmdogg10
China Grove Lyrics as written by Tom Johnston
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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@redlips Nailed it!