Lost Boy
Roger Waters & Eddie Van Halen Lyrics
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I would not leave you here alone
In this dead calm beneath the waves
I can still hear those lost boys calling
You could not speak, you were afraid
To take the risk of being left again
And so you tipped your hat and waved and then
And in Mott street in July
When I hear those seabirds cry
I hold the child, the child in the man
The child that we leave behind
And in Mott street in July
When I hear those seabirds cry
I hold the child, the child in the man
The child that we leave behind
The spotlight fades, the boys disband
The final notes lie mute upon the sand
And in the silence of the grave
I can still hear those lost boys calling
We left them there when they were young
The men were gone until the west was won
And now there's nothing left but time to kill
You never took us fishin' dad and now you never will
And in Mott street in July
When I hear those seabirds cry
I hold the child, the child in the man
The child that we leave behind
The lyrics of "Lost Boys Calling" by Roger Waters are a poignant and emotional reflection on the loss of childhood innocence and the pain of growing up too fast. The song tells a story of a father who has abandoned his family and "left them there when they were young." The singer talks about hearing "those lost boys calling" in the "dead calm beneath the waves" and feeling a deep sense of loss and regret.
The opening lines "Come, hold me now, I am not gone, I would not leave you here alone" suggest that the singer is comforting someone who is mourning the loss of a loved one. The repetition of the phrase "I can still hear those lost boys calling" emphasizes the haunting quality of the memories that continue to linger.
The middle section of the song reflects on the idea of leaving childhood behind and growing up too quickly. The image of a child in a man's body highlights the loss of innocence and a sense of longing for what could have been. The lyrics "We left them there when they were young, The men were gone until the west was won" speak to the idea of generations of fathers leaving their families behind in pursuit of a better future.
Overall, the song is a powerful meditation on loss, regret, and the passing of time. It serves as a reminder to hold onto our memories and cherish our loved ones while we still have them.
Line by Line Meaning
Come, hold me now, I am not gone
I am still present with you, so please do not feel alone and lost.
I would not leave you here alone
I am committed to staying by your side, even in the darkest of times.
In this dead calm beneath the waves
Even in a place of total stillness and quiet, the echoes of the past still reverberate.
I can still hear those lost boys calling
The memories of youth and innocence that we have left behind still haunt me.
You could not speak, you were afraid
You couldn't bring yourself to express your feelings out of fear of being hurt again.
To take the risk of being left again
You were too scared to put yourself in a vulnerable position where you could be abandoned or rejected.
And so you tipped your hat and waved and then
Rather than express your true emotions, you feigned a polite farewell and departed.
You turned back up the gangway of that steel tomb again
You retreated to your safe haven, a place of artificial protection from the real world.
And in Mott street in July
During a particular moment in time and space under specific circumstances.
When I hear those seabirds cry
The sounds of nature evoke powerful memories and emotions within me.
I hold the child, the child in the man
The inner child that is still a part of me is alive and well, despite the passage of time.
The child that we leave behind
Even as we grow older and face new challenges, we must remember the innocence and wonder of youth that we have left behind.
The spotlight fades, the boys disband
As we move on from our youth, we lose the sense of belonging and camaraderie that comes with it.
The final notes lie mute upon the sand
The sounds of our past fade away, leaving only the silence of the present.
And in the silence of the grave
Even after we pass away, the echoes of our lives continue to resonate.
I can still hear those lost boys calling
The memories of those who have passed on still haunt and inspire us to this day.
We left them there when they were young
We move on from our youth and leave behind the people we used to be.
The men were gone until the west was won
We grow up and leave home, seeking new horizons and opportunities.
And now there's nothing left but time to kill
After we have achieved our goals, there is a sense of emptiness and restlessness that can be hard to bear.
You never took us fishin' dad and now you never will
Regrets and missed opportunities can weigh heavily on our hearts, long after it is too late to change them.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ennio Morricone, Roger Waters
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
james smith
EddieVH, rest in peace brother! This song brings tears to my eyes. I lost my mother earlier this year but this is a healing piece I will always cherish. 😢
Stephen Adams: Musical Interpretations and Satire
🥀
Eric Nelson
My goodness!! I have never heard this one before. What an incredibly sweet, soulful and melodic solo! And then there’s the guitar tone. Wow! Eddie was truly the best of the best! He could literally play over anything.
Tony Roberts
I know...I just heard this 2 days ago...brilliant stuff...brought a tear to my eyes
RichLoves FNAF
@Tony Roberts that final note that Eddie plays is beautiful
Robin Morris
Wow, I've never heard this. Being the biggest EVH fan boi ever, I feel like I just got a nice little visit, and some haunting guitar from my hero, whose now my favorite spirit. RIP Edward, you magnificent bastard.
Craig
And I'm a massive Floyd and Roger Waters fan. This was just as awesome for me! So really top notch performances from both gentlemen.
Mabel Mabel
Roger always accompanied by the best guitarists in history. (Gilmour, Beck, Clapton, Van Halen, etc)
Mike Goldstein
Ed' musicianship is unlike anyone ever. He just knows exactly what to play and when. He was so versatile along with being so incredibly skilled and technical. There is not another guitar player that can play any type of song or style as such a high level
Bob Smith
There are many that can,,,, but none of them did what Ed did before him. I heard Eruption in 1978 and had been playing for just shy of a year and it melted my brain as it did pretty much for any other musician and rock music lover. His first 5 album were a bag of guitar tricks,, the most innovative guitar player to have ever lived thus far RIP EVH.