Christine Anu is an Australian pop singer/songwriter/actress of Torres Stra… Read Full Bio ↴Christine Anu is an Australian pop singer/songwriter/actress of Torres Strait Islander descent. She is an Australian icon, and her cover of “My Island Home” is the song that she is most known for. She studied dancing at school, thinking that it would lead her into a singing career.

She has also worked as a cultural ambassador for Torres Strait Islanders, and she is associated with the "Deadlys" - the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music, sport, entertainment and community awards.

Wanem Time
Christine Anu Lyrics

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Wamen Time? T.I. Time!
Wamen Time? T.I. Time!
Wamen Time? T.I. Time!
Wamen Time?

You're rushing throught the day
The city makes you pay
Thinking about tomorrow

Don't waste your life away
You can see the sun
Is Shinin'

Wamen Time? T.I. Time!
Wamen Time? T.I. Time!
Wamen Time? T.I. Time!
Wamen Time?

There's an island in the sun
Where the children they have fun
And the people always say
That whatever you want come
If You just wait

Wamen Time? T.I. Time!
Wamen Time? T.I. Time!
Wamen Time? T.I. Time!
Wamen Time?

Don't forget where you belong
Even when you're far from home
Everything is in it's place
And whatever you want will come
In a slow and easy way
That's what the people always say
On an island in the san
If you just wait

Wamen Time? T.I. Time!
Wamen Time? T.I. Time!
Wamen Time? T.I. Time!
Wamen Time?

(Repeat)

If you just wait

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Christine Anu's song "Wanem Time" encourages listeners to slow down and not rush through their lives. It talks about the fast-paced life in the city and reminds people not to lose sight of what's important. The chorus repeats the phrase "Wamen Time? T.I. Time!" which means Women's Time and Thursday Island Time. Thursday Island is a small island located in the Torres Strait between Australia and Papua New Guinea. Thursday Island has a significant Indigenous population and is an important cultural hub.

The song continues to describe an idyllic island where the children play and people say that if you want something, it will come to you. The island is seen as a contrast to the city, where everything is fast-paced, and nothing comes easy. The song's message is simple yet poignant, reminding listeners to embrace the slow pace of life and avoid getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the city.

One of the interesting facts about "Wanem Time" is that it was written by Neil Murray, who is best known for writing the classic Australian song "My Island Home." Murray wrote "Wanem Time" specifically for Christine Anu, who is of Torres Strait Islander descent, and the song is heavily inspired by Torres Strait Island culture.

Line by Line Meaning

Wamen Time? T.I. Time!
Questioning the time, whether it is women's time or island time

You're rushing through the day
You are hurrying through the day

The city makes you pay
The city extracts a price from you

Thinking about tomorrow
You are pondering the future

Don't waste your life away
Do not spend your life frivolously

You can see the sun is shining
It is evident that the sun is out and shining

There's an island in the sun
There is an island bathed by the sun

Where the children they have fun
Where the children have a good time

And the people always say
The locals always say

That whatever you want come
Whatever you wish for will come

If you just wait
You must be patient