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.
I must be the devil's daughter
What a dark father to dwell in me
I must be the devil's daughter
Such a dark father to dwell in me
Bastard child that I am
You can see it in my swagger
In the palmist's lines of my hands
And my lips that bud like daggers
Look out young son
Look out young son
Look out young son
When I bloom you come a-crawlin'
Look out young son
Look out young son
Look out young son
When I bloom you come a-crawlin'
And I think I'm on a mission
Should I then shield my eyes
From the furtive looks of babes-in-arms
And the cries of their poor mothers
Look out young son
Look out young son
Look out young son
When I bloom you come a-crawlin'
Look out young son
Look out young son
Look out young son
When I bloom you come a-crawlin'
And my mama never speaks of him
Except when she's drunk and desperate
And even then it's just a brief retelling
Of his rough love and abandonment
Went into town one night
And the crowd like waters parted
He headed straight toward her
And aimed to finish what he started
And I think, like him, I have to roam
With what each night delivers
It's time to make my drive be known:
Turn lads into believers
Look out young son
Look out young son
Look out young son
When I bloom you come a-crawlin'
Look out young son
Look out young son
Look out young son
When I bloom you come a-crawlin'
I must be the devil's daughter
What a dark father to dwell in me
I must be the devil's daughter
Such a dark father to dwell in me
What a dark father to dwell in me
I must be the devil's daughter
Such a dark father to dwell in me
Bastard child that I am
You can see it in my swagger
In the palmist's lines of my hands
And my lips that bud like daggers
Look out young son
Look out young son
Look out young son
When I bloom you come a-crawlin'
Look out young son
Look out young son
Look out young son
When I bloom you come a-crawlin'
And I think I'm on a mission
Should I then shield my eyes
From the furtive looks of babes-in-arms
And the cries of their poor mothers
Look out young son
Look out young son
Look out young son
When I bloom you come a-crawlin'
Look out young son
Look out young son
Look out young son
When I bloom you come a-crawlin'
And my mama never speaks of him
Except when she's drunk and desperate
And even then it's just a brief retelling
Of his rough love and abandonment
Went into town one night
And the crowd like waters parted
He headed straight toward her
And aimed to finish what he started
And I think, like him, I have to roam
With what each night delivers
It's time to make my drive be known:
Turn lads into believers
Look out young son
Look out young son
Look out young son
When I bloom you come a-crawlin'
Look out young son
Look out young son
Look out young son
When I bloom you come a-crawlin'
I must be the devil's daughter
What a dark father to dwell in me
I must be the devil's daughter
Such a dark father to dwell in me
Lyrics submitted by shonensamurai
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I think it's a woman coming to terms with the likenesses she sees between herself and a less than honorable father.
This song is about a girl who's just beginning to realize she's a man eater. She lets the young men of the world know to watch out, because when she's ready, none of them will be safe from her wiles.
This is one of my all time favourite songs. I wish Grand Ole Party would come out with a new album, I've been obsessed with Humanimals since it came out.
It's just warbling.
then why are you listening to it, and why AREN'T you commenting on the MEANING of said "warbling"? ;)