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.
Go down Matthew, down below
There are footsteps in the mud for you to follow
The black eyed boy with the crocodile smile made his way to Tennesee
They dipped his head in a river and said "blessed son, you're free"
The shackled bride with the violet eyes fled Lafayette
She'd sooner stone Al Capone than pay a rich man's debt
Go down Matthew, down below
There are footsteps in the mud for you to follow
He caught her eye on the fourth of July, waving an American bill
He walked towards her with a prisoner's limp and a bottle of swill
Midnight came on an empty street, a shitfaced Cinderella
Sang "Devil's gonna git you" and bit his lip, Sweet Bessie a capella
Go down Matthew, down below
There are footsteps in the mud for you to follow
The smell of Satan like a bouillabaisse of gasoline and burnt tires
She fled the scene like a wolverine from a forest fire
They found the chief in his sunday briefs, the press armed with ink
The sheriff said "they're probably dead, now get yourself a drink"
Go down Matthew, down below
There are footsteps in the mud for you to follow
Put your shovel in the ground, Matthew
Put your shovel in the ground, Matthew
Put your shovel in the ground, Matthew
Put your shovel in the ground, Matthew
There are footsteps in the mud for you to follow
The black eyed boy with the crocodile smile made his way to Tennesee
They dipped his head in a river and said "blessed son, you're free"
The shackled bride with the violet eyes fled Lafayette
She'd sooner stone Al Capone than pay a rich man's debt
Go down Matthew, down below
There are footsteps in the mud for you to follow
He caught her eye on the fourth of July, waving an American bill
He walked towards her with a prisoner's limp and a bottle of swill
Midnight came on an empty street, a shitfaced Cinderella
Sang "Devil's gonna git you" and bit his lip, Sweet Bessie a capella
Go down Matthew, down below
There are footsteps in the mud for you to follow
The smell of Satan like a bouillabaisse of gasoline and burnt tires
She fled the scene like a wolverine from a forest fire
They found the chief in his sunday briefs, the press armed with ink
The sheriff said "they're probably dead, now get yourself a drink"
Go down Matthew, down below
There are footsteps in the mud for you to follow
Put your shovel in the ground, Matthew
Put your shovel in the ground, Matthew
Put your shovel in the ground, Matthew
Put your shovel in the ground, Matthew
Lyrics submitted by macchimo
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