Day In a Dog's Life
A Dog's Longing: Reunion Beyond the Sea
Lyrics
Will he have gifts for me
Anticipation and hope for gifts from the master returning from the sea.
Like a stack of sweet sardines
Imagining the gifts to be like a stack of sweet sardines.
Right out the hand
Describing the act of receiving gifts directly from the master's hand.
Howling at him from across the jetty
Expressing excitement and anticipation from a distance.
For I could recognise his boat a hundred miles away
Recognition of the master's boat from a great distance.
His basket seems so empty
Observation of the master's seemingly empty basket, indicating a tough season.
Another grim season it's been
Reflection on a challenging and difficult season.
And he seems tired for he rubs his eyes
Noting the fatigue and weariness in the master's demeanor.
And he pats my back to calm me
Comforting gestures from the master towards the narrator.
My master is back from the open seas
Confirmation of the master's return from the sea.
And I run like the wind to greet him
Expressing the narrator's excitement and eagerness to greet the master.
But he's down on his knees
Surprise at the master being on his knees, possibly in exhaustion.
He hasn't got a gift for me but
Not receiving a gift, but the narrator values the master's presence more.
It's not the fish that I want
Emphasizing the importance of the master's return over material gifts.
Just my master back on land with me
The joy of having the master back on land is the ultimate desire.
He'll be half-blind from the heavy sun
Expectation that the master will be affected by the sun and weather.
Have to double check it's me his only child
The master may have difficulty recognizing the narrator due to the sun's impact.
I'll know it's him from the crooked back
Recognition of the master through physical characteristics like a crooked back.
And that ever twisting brow under his tilted cap
Describing distinctive features of the master's face under a tilted cap.
I've been pacing in the harbour
Impatient waiting in the harbor for the master's return.
I can sense those old boots getting near
Sensing the master's approach through the familiarity of old boots.
I've been barking at those taunting waves
Barking at the waves, expressing a desire for time to pass quickly.
To make stubborn days crawl the quicker
Wishing for time to move faster during challenging days.
My masters back from the open seas
Confirmation of the master's return from the sea.
I run like the wind to greet him
Excitedly running to greet the master again.
But he's down on his knees
Surprise at the master being on his knees once more.
He didn't catch a fish for me
Not receiving a fish as a gift from the master this time.
It's not the fish that I want
Reiterating that material gifts are not the narrator's priority.
Just my master back home with me
Emphasizing the importance of the master's presence over gifts.
The ocean's running empty
Acknowledging the depletion of the ocean's resources.
That's the rumour spread all round the port
Rumors spreading about the scarcity of fish in the port.
I'm not worried for I'll beg some scraps
Expressing confidence in obtaining scraps despite the scarcity.
From the kids drinking beers on the docks
Planning to beg for scraps from kids on the docks.
My master is back from the empty seas
Confirmation of the master's return even in difficult times.
And I run like the wind to greet him
Running to greet the master despite the challenges.
But he's down on his knees
Surprise and concern as the master is on his knees again.
Hangs his head
The master hangs his head, possibly in disappointment or exhaustion.
He can't look at me
The master avoids eye contact, conveying a sense of sadness or shame.
But there's nothing that beats
Despite the challenges, having the master back is irreplaceable.
Having master back on land with me
Reiteration of the joy and importance of the master's return.
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