The band's 2003 album Up All Night reached the top five of the Australian Albums Chart, it achieved double platinum status and won four ARIA Awards in October. Two further top five albums were issued, Sun Dirt Water in 2007 and Temptation in 2011. The Waifs have three top fifty singles, "London Still" (2002), "Bridal Train" (2004) and "Sun Dirt Water". The band supported Bob Dylan on his 2003 Australian tour and then his 2003 North American tour, including a gig at the Newport Folk Festival.
The Waifs founded the independent label Jarrah Records in July 2002, co-owned with fellow musician John Butler, and their common manager Phil Stevens, which handles their Australian releases.
Higher Ground
The Waifs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pick up the pieces gonna tell someone
Wind blows gentle and the wind blows warm
Carry me on to the eye of the storm
Water is rising it's an awful sound
Carry my feet to the higher ground
I don't know but I been told
Ounce of gold don't buy no bread
Everybody sleeping in a strangers bed
Water is rising it's an awful sound
Carry my feet to the higher ground
Foot on the sea, foot on the land
Loud as a lion with a book in your hand
I ain't singing in the lukewarm choir
Standing on the world with your legs on fire
Time no more it's an awful sound
Carry my feet to the higher ground
The chorus of The Waifs' song, "Higher Ground", is a plea for safety and salvation in the face of a brewing storm. The metaphor of 'higher ground' is a common motif in many spiritual traditions, and refers to finding a safe haven from life's storms. The song's opening lines evoke a sense of contradictory emotions - there is bitterness and sweetness at the same time. This ambiguity can be seen as a reflection of the complex emotions that arise in times of crisis. The plea to "pick up the pieces and tell someone" suggests a desire for connection and communication with others, rather than facing the storm alone.
The verses of "Higher Ground" contain a series of images and observations that portray the fragility of life in the face of natural calamities. The rising water is a recurring motif, and is described as "an awful sound". The second verse talks about the difficulty of finding meaningful value in life - an ounce of gold may not be enough to buy bread, and people may find themselves sleeping in strangers' beds. The third verse is an affirmation of the courage it takes to stand up for one's beliefs and values, and to resist the pressures of conformity. The image of standing on the world with legs on fire captures the sense of passionate engagement and intensity that comes with being true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Bitter in the belly, sweet on the tongue
Sometimes things may not always be as pleasant as they appear to be
Pick up the pieces gonna tell someone
Don't be afraid to seek help from others when you're struggling
Wind blows gentle and the wind blows warm
Life can be comforting and soothing at times
Carry me on to the eye of the storm
Help me get through the difficult times in my life
Water is rising it's an awful sound
There are times when danger is approaching and we need to leave before it's too late
Carry my feet to the higher ground
Help guide me to safety and away from danger
I don't know but I been told
I am uncertain, but I've heard that...
It takes a whole lotta diggin for an ounce of gold
Achieving success often requires a lot of effort and hard work
Ounce of gold don't buy no bread
Money can't always solve our problems
Everybody sleeping in a strangers bed
We often face uncertainty and unfamiliarity in life
Foot on the sea, foot on the land
We have to navigate through different environments and situations in life
Loud as a lion with a book in your hand
Speaking confidently and knowledgeably can make a great impact on others
I ain't singing in the lukewarm choir
I am not going to settle for mediocrity or conformity
Standing on the world with your legs on fire
Feeling empowered and ready to take on the world with passion and intensity
Time no more it's an awful sound
The rapid passing of time can be unsettling or alarming
Carry my feet to the higher ground
Guide me towards a better future and away from the past struggles
Writer(s): VIKKI ELIZABETH THORN, JOSHUA HAYDEN CUNNINGHAM, DONNA LEANNE SIMPSON
Contributed by Colin H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.