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.
Papa
The Waifs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and he fished the deep blue sea
he home made some fine black berry nip
and he'd always pass a nip onto me
well he smelled like black-tarred fishing nets
oh tiger belly growl
he was my good pappa
grand daddy was a sailor
and he sailed from far across the sea
well he did talk some kind of funny
but it never did bother me
when he spoke about his home land
'twas with a sad and furrowed brow
no more tears grandaddy
you just be bones now
well i look now at my father
and his black hair's all gone grey
and those strong arms that did carry me
they're now withering away
lay down your burdens papa
won't you come sit with me at home
we have got to spend some time together
before we just be bones
The Waifs's song 'Papa' is a beautiful tribute to the different generations in a family and their unique stories. The song opens with the singer talking about her Papa who was a fisherman and spent his time fishing in the deep blue sea. The use of 'nip' in the lyrics conveys the idea of home-made alcohol which was popular among fishermen. The song paints a vivid picture of a fishing town where the smell of fishing nets was a common thing. The use of sensory language like 'tiger belly growl' highlights the raw and rugged nature of the fishing profession. Despite the hardship, the singer holds fond memories of her Papa and his homemade blackberry nip.
The second stanza of the song is about the singer's grandfather who was a sailor and traveled across the sea. Though he talked with a funny accent, it did not bother the singer who remembers his stories with great admiration. The mention of the grandfather's furrowed brow and sadness while talking about his homeland adds another layer of emotion to the song. While the grandfather is no more, the singer cherishes his memories and accepts that he has become bones now.
In the final stanza, the singer talks about her own father and how he has aged over the years. The use of the metaphor 'withering away' conveys the inevitability of aging and how the body changes with time. The singer urges her father to come sit with her at home and spend some quality time together before it's too late. The use of repetition in the line 'before we just be bones' emphasizes the ephemeral nature of life and how we must cherish every moment.
Overall, 'Papa' is a touching tribute to the different generations in a family and the stories they carry. The song conveys a sense of nostalgia and longing for the past while acknowledging the transience of life.
Line by Line Meaning
well my papa was a fisher man
The singer's father was a fisherman.
and he fished the deep blue sea
He would go fishing in the sea.
he home made some fine black berry nip
He used to make some good blackberry liquor.
and he'd always pass a nip onto me
He would share it with the artist.
well he smelled like black-tarred fishing nets
He had a distinct smell of tarred fishing nets.
oh tiger belly growl
The singer had a strong hunger pang.
he was my good pappa
The singer loved his father.
but he be bones now
But now he's no longer alive and only his bones remain.
grand daddy was a sailor
The artist's grandfather was a sailor.
and he sailed from far across the sea
He used to travel far across the sea.
well he did talk some kind of funny
He had a unique way of speaking.
but it never did bother me
The artist was never bothered by it.
when he spoke about his home land
When he talked about his homeland.
'twas with a sad and furrowed brow
He had a sad and worried expression on his face.
no more tears grandaddy
There's no need to cry anymore, grandfather.
you just be bones now
You've passed away and only your bones remain.
well i look now at my father
The artist looks at his father now.
and his black hair's all gone grey
The singer's father has grey hair now.
and those strong arms that did carry me
His father's strong arms that used to carry him around.
they're now withering away
His father's arms are getting weaker and losing their strength.
lay down your burdens papa
Relax and let go of your worries, father.
won't you come sit with me at home
Come and spend time with me at home.
we have got to spend some time together
We need to spend more time together.
before we just be bones
Before we die and become just bones.
Contributed by Jayden E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@frodev728
what, no comments!?!
@TheDarod1
here is one