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.
The River
The Waifs Lyrics
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No one could help his plight
He was trying to save our home
On the day that the river rose
Well, "It came alive"
I heard them say
As he washed away"
Running from the heart of it
Right into the cause of it
Running from the heart of it
Right into the core of it
Running from the heart...
I'm a man now but I'm only seven
Well, it's been hard since daddy went to heaven
"Stay in now", my mum said
And he worked his land, his life a tear
Running from the heart of it
Right into the cause of it
Running from the heart of it
Right into the core of it
Running from the heart...
Hey, but once you follow me late at night
We'll go down down to the river where the moon is bright
And we can wash our sorrow down
Underneath that shining round
You'll be sitting in the still night air
Cani, Phil, daddy there
Life and death and all this power
Underneath these these shining stars
Running from the heart of it
Right into the cause of it
Running from the heart of it
Right into the core of it
Running from the heart...
You give us strength, while we talk
"The River" by The Waifs is a powerful and emotional song that tells a story of loss, resilience, and the healing powers of nature. The song begins with the singer watching their father die, despite his attempts to save their home from the rising river. The lyrics are hauntingly descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the tragedy and the helplessness that came with it. The line "It came alive, I heard them say, there was nothing we could do as he washed away" is particularly poignant, emphasizing the sheer power of nature and the futility of human resistance.
Despite the profound sense of loss, the song also highlights the singer's strength and determination to carry on. The line "I'm a man now but I'm only seven, well, it's been hard since daddy went to heaven" captures the sense of responsibility and maturity that comes with grief at such a young age. The singer's mother urges them to stay inside and stay safe, but the call of the river is strong. In the final verse, the song takes on a more hopeful tone, with the singer inviting the listener to join them by the river at night. The river, once a source of tragedy, is now a source of comfort and healing.
Overall, "The River" is a poignant and affecting meditation on loss, grief, and the power of nature to both destroy and heal.
Line by Line Meaning
I stood and watched my daddy die
I witnessed my father's death
No one could help his plight
There was nothing anyone could do to save him
He was trying to save our home
He was attempting to protect our residence
On the day that the river rose
During the time that the river overflowed
"It came alive"
The river suddenly appeared to be more powerful
I heard them say
People were exclaiming
"There was nothing we could do
No actions could have helped the situation
As he washed away"
As he was swept off by the river
Running from the heart of it
Escaping from the center of the catastrophe
Right into the cause of it
Directly towards the source of the calamity
I'm a man now but I'm only seven
Although I am young, I feel more mature due to my circumstances
Well, it's been hard since daddy went to heaven
Life has been tough since my father died
"Stay in now", my mum said
My mother advised me to stay indoors
And he worked his land, his life a tear
My father devoted his life to tending to the land
Hey, but once you follow me late at night
If you come with me at night
We'll go down down to the river where the moon is bright
We will journey to the brightly lit river
And we can wash our sorrow down
We will try to forget our sadness
Underneath that shining round
Beneath the luminous circle of the moon
You'll be sitting in the still night air
You will experience a tranquil atmosphere
Cani, Phil, daddy there
The spirits of Cani, Phil, and my father will be present
Life and death and all this power
The concepts of existence, mortality, and strength
Underneath these these shining stars
Beneath the sparkling celestial bodies
You give us strength, while we talk
You provide us with courage and fortitude as we converse
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Howard Slagle, Robert Dunlap Jr
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind