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.
Sun Dirt Water
The Waifs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the ones who came before?
Who left you broken hearted,
With your back up against the wall.
Would you cash in all your high times?
For some lasting company,
Or a warm soft breast for you to lay your head on,
For all of eternity.
Well if your holding out on something,
Then just reach and you'll rise above,
Give me Sun, give me Dirt, give me Water,
Give me sweet everlasting love.
Would you travel right across the world,
To meet a woman that you didn't know?
If you thought that she might be the one,
To put your roots down with and grow.
Would you take her hand and walk with her,
Through the narrow gate of life?
Oh, Gather your load,
Prepare to travel the road,
That's going to lead you from trouble and strife.
Well if your holding out on something,
Then just reach and you'll rise above,
Give me Sun, give me Dirt, give me Water,
Give me sweet... ah ah ah
Would you trade me for all the pretty girls,
All the ones who came before?
Who left you, broken hearted,
With your back up against a wall,
Would you cash in all your high times,
For some lasting company,
Or a warm soft breast for you to lay your head on,
For all of eternity.
Well if your holding out on something,
Then just reach and we'll rise above,
Give me Sun, give me Dirt, give me Water,
Give me sweet everlasting love.
Give me Sun, give me Dirt, give me Water,
Give me sweet,
Everlasting love.
The Waifs's song Sundirtwater explores the notion of what we are willing to sacrifice or trade for love, companionship, and eternity. The lyrics start with a question, asking if we would trade someone we love for something that appears attractive. The imagery of 'pretty girls' leaves a lot of room for interpretation, but it is clear that the subject of the song values something more substantial than looks. The artist captures the sense of heartache and vulnerability, with the visual of 'broken hearted, with your back up against a wall.'
The lyrics then shift to more positive territory, suggesting that it is possible to rise above pain and hurt to find love that will last. The lines 'Give me Sun, give me Dirt, give me Water' evoke a sense of renewal, suggesting that love is like these elements of nature - sustaining and essential. The question posed in the second verse expands on the idea of finding love unexpectedly and taking a chance on someone unfamiliar. 'To put your roots down with and grow' suggests that the singer believes in love as a foundation for growth and stability.
The final verse carries on the same theme, challenging the idea of remaining stagnant or comfortable to pursue something more meaningful. The image of 'narrow gate of life' implies that the journey toward real connection may not be easy, but it is worth it. The repetition of 'give me Sun, give me Dirt, give me Water' creates a mantra-like effect, emphasizing the sense of longing and desire that runs throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Would you trade me for all the pretty girls,
Asking if the person would leave the relationship for someone else who has come before that has hurt them in the past
All the ones who came before?
Referring to past relationships
Who left you broken hearted,
Indicating that the person has been hurt before by past lovers
With your back up against the wall.
Suggesting the person feels trapped or in a difficult situation
Would you cash in all your high times?
Asking if the person would give up all their happy memories and experiences
For some lasting company,
Wondering if the person values companionship and loyalty more than fleeting happiness
Or a warm soft breast for you to lay your head on,
Asking if the person desires physical comfort and affection
For all of eternity.
Hoping for a lasting, forever love
Well if your holding out on something,
If the person is waiting for something better
Then just reach and you'll rise above,
Encouraging the person to take a risk
Give me Sun, give me Dirt, give me Water,
Asking for the simple things in life
Give me sweet everlasting love.
Asking for a love that will last forever
Would you travel right across the world,
Asking if the person would go to great lengths for love
To meet a woman that you didn't know?
Asking if the person would take a risk to find love
If you thought that she might be the one,
If the person believed they found their soulmate
To put your roots down with and grow.
To build a life together and create something lasting
Would you take her hand and walk with her,
Asking if the person is willing to commit to a journey with their partner
Through the narrow gate of life?
Through the difficult moments in life
Oh, Gather your load,
Prepare yourself
Prepare to travel the road,
Prepare for the journey
That's going to lead you from trouble and strife.
The journey will help you overcome obstacles and difficulties
Well if your holding out on something,
If you're waiting for something better
Then just reach and you'll rise above,
Encouraging the person to take a risk
Give me Sun, give me Dirt, give me Water,
Asking for the simple things in life
Give me sweet... ah ah ah
Asking for love, with emphasis on the sweetness
Would you trade me for all the pretty girls,
Asking the question again, wondering if the person values their current relationship over past ones
All the ones who came before?
Referring to the people the person dated before
Who left you, broken hearted,
Past lovers who caused emotional pain
With your back up against a wall,
Feeling trapped and desperate
Would you cash in all your high times,
Asking if they would be willing to give up happy moments for a relationship
For some lasting company,
Wondering if the person values love and companionship over selfish desires
Or a warm soft breast for you to lay your head on,
Asking if they crave affection and intimacy
For all of eternity.
Desiring a forever love
Well if your holding out on something,
If they are still hesitant
Then just reach and we'll rise above,
Encouraging them to take a leap of faith together
Give me Sun, give me Dirt, give me Water,
Asking for the simple things in life
Give me sweet everlasting love.
Asking for a love that will last forever
Contributed by Arianna Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@andrewwhitbread9362
Culture
And
Sovereignty
Teach
Loving
Empathy
@andrewwhitbread9362
"I can See CLEARLY now the CRAZYNESS is gone!"!!
- St. SkyKnight.
@andrewwhitbread9362
"Golden Soil & the most Precious Gift all ALL, from OUR heavens ABOVE for Toil!"! ! ! ! ! !
@jadams3427
'Great sound! 'Reminds me of the Belgian group, Vaya Con Dios. I can imagine Dani Klein singing this one.
@lilirose3581
Still my absolute favourite song! First band I saw on Phillip island as a kid ♥️
@andrewwhitbread9362
"IT'S A MIRACLE WE HAVE SOVEREIGNTY!"! !
- St. SkyKnight Her Majestys Andrew John Whitbread Drongo.
@mysticpixie4954
absolutely and deliciously captivating ... as always ... utterly laden with all those sultry vibes ... can't wait for more!
@andrewwhitbread9362
"I'll SHINE up Your arse!"! ! !
- SkyKnight Wingmate.
@andrewwhitbread9362
LORD, LOVE, & LADIES TAKE-OVER WHEN GOD & KING & COUNTRY FAIL.
@peter14ist
Craftsmanship. Or should I say craftswomanship...thumbs up Vikki