(Words by Van Halen)

Ow
Oh yeah, get up
Ow! (Yeah)
Ow! Ow!
Well, they say it's kinda frightnin'
How this younger generation swings
You know it's more than just some new sensation
Well, the kid is into losin' sleep
And he don't come home for half the week
You know it's more than just an aggravation

And the cradle will rock
Yes the cradle, cradle will rock
And I say rock on. Uh! Rock on

And when some local kid gets down
They try an' drum him outta town
They say, "Ya coulda least faked it, boy"
Fake it, boy (Ooh, stranger, boy)
At an early age he hits the street
Winds up tired with who he meets
An' he's unemployed (Unemployed?) Ow!

And the cradle will rock. Ow!
And the cradle, the cradle will rock
An' I say rock on. Oh, say, rock on

(Guitar Solo)

Have you seen Junior's grades?
Ooh

Ow!

And when some local kid gets down
They try an' drum him outta town
They say, "Ya could've least faked it, boy. Faked it, boy"
And so an early age he hits the street
'N winds up tired with who he meets
An' he's unemployed. His folks are overjoyed

And the cradle will rock
Yes the cradle, cradle will rock
I say rock on. Hey! Rock on

Rock on. Rock on. Rock on
This ain't never been new, babe, child. Ow!
Rock on, wow! I said...
Rock on. Rock on. Oh, oh, oh
Rock on. Oh, ow, ah, ah, ah
Rock on. Rock on. Rock on