Lyrics
Yeah
Expression of agreement or acknowledgment
Back in 1996 in northwest Australia
Setting the scene in northwest Australia in 1996
I wonder why you were lyin' on the street alone
Questioning why someone was lying on the street
Another accident inflicted on an innocent child
Describing an accident affecting an innocent child
In the home, while I was on the see-saw
Reflecting on personal activities on a see-saw while the incident occurred
I was in the garden, readin' Papillon
Engaged in reading "Papillon" in the garden
Tellin' myself real people couldn't be so cruel
Doubting the cruelty of real people
And she said, "Honey, what's wrong?"
A character asking another what's wrong
I said, "Babe, what's right?"
Responding with a question about what's right
So we staggered off into the night, oh
Embarking into the night with someone
I'm lucky, I'm lucky, I'm lucky just to sleep at night, oh
Expressing gratitude or relief for being able to sleep at night
So we linked arms and we staggered off into the night
Continuing the journey into the night while linking arms
Drunk, but overjoyed just to be employed
Being drunk but happy to be employed
By the boys
Referring to a group of individuals, possibly friends or colleagues
The boys are killin' me
Expressing the feeling of being negatively affected by the mentioned group
I'm just a sailor and a miner
Identifying oneself as a sailor and a miner
I'm comin' as I am, comin' as I am
Stating one's true self without pretense
Even if you tell me I'm a liar
Defying accusations of dishonesty
The boys are killin' me
Reiterating the negative impact of the mentioned group
I'm just a sailor and a miner
Reaffirming the identity as a sailor and a miner
Mantajarra Walyakarra
Reference to "Mantajarra Walyakarra," possibly a cultural or personal element
Take a deep breath and hold your fire
Advising to pause and avoid conflict or confrontation
Gesticulating wildly and passionate at cars
Describing enthusiastic and passionate gestures toward cars
Parked in the dark on the street, oh
Observing cars parked in the dark on the street
I would've fallen in a hole
Expressing potential danger or vulnerability
If you didn't have my shoulders tight
Grateful for someone providing support and stability
You're swaying like a see-saw
Comparing swaying to a see-saw, possibly indicating instability
If that's what it is to trust another, then you got it all
Recognizing the essence of trust in others
But I don't know if I can trust my country anymore
Doubting trust in one's country
She said, "Honey, what's wrong?"
A character asking another what's wrong
I said, "Babe, what's right?"
Responding with a question about what's right
So we staggered off into the night
Continuing the journey into the night with someone
Drunk, but overjoyed just to be employed
Being drunk but happy to be employed
By the boys
Reiteration of the negative impact of the mentioned group
The boys are killin' me
Expressing the feeling of being negatively affected by the mentioned group
I'm just a sailor and a miner
Identifying oneself as a sailor and a miner
I'm comin' as I am, comin' as I am
Stating one's true self without pretense
Even if you tell me I'm a liar
Defying accusations of dishonesty
The boys are killin' me
Reiterating the negative impact of the mentioned group
I'm just a sailor and a miner
Reaffirming the identity as a sailor and a miner
Mantajarra Walyakarra
Reference to "Mantajarra Walyakarra," possibly a cultural or personal element
Take a deep breath and hold your fire
Advising to pause and avoid conflict or confrontation
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