Papa's Got Ahold of the Wine
Papa's Spirited Dance: Turpentine Nights and Liquor-Stained Blues
Lyrics
Papa's got a hold of the Wine oh brother
Papa is in possession of wine, and the speaker addresses a brother.
Smelling like turpentine
The scent of turpentine is associated with Papa.
Sister get the bedpan ready for a dead man
Preparation is needed for a deceased person; the sister is urged to get a bedpan ready.
Papa's got a hold of the wine
Reiteration that Papa has control of the wine.
Hey, hey, hey there papa where you going with your little brown jug?
The speaker questions Papa's destination with a small jug, referencing a song ("little brown jug").
He said the ladies wanna dance son, I just wanna cut a rug
Papa's response implies a desire to dance, while the speaker only wants to have a good time.
Don't you know that I've had the blues since your mama died
The speaker reveals experiencing sadness since Mama's death and encourages Papa to enjoy himself.
So let your daddy have some fun, cause Papa's got a hold of the wine
A repetition emphasizing Papa's need for fun with wine.
Papa's got a hold of the Wine oh brother
Similar to line 1, underscoring Papa's wine possession.
Smelling like turpentine
The scent of turpentine is reiterated.
Sister get the bedpan ready for a dead man
A repetition of preparing for a dead man, emphasizing the seriousness of Papa's condition.
Papa's got a hold of the wine
Reiteration of Papa's control over wine.
If you ever had a liquor-stained breath crawl past your nose
Reflection on the impact of alcohol on breath and its role in concealing a troubled past.
Then you know it's just to cover up the past you're too scared to show
Suggesting that the use of liquor masks a past that one is afraid to reveal.
Don't you know red and bold Merlot puckers up the spine
A specific type of wine, Merlot, is mentioned, affecting the spine with a puckering sensation.
So better run for the shed cause Papa's got a hold of the wine
A warning to run away because Papa has control of the wine.
Papa's got a hold of the Wine oh brother
Reiteration of Papa's possession of wine.
Smelling like turpentine
The scent of turpentine is restated.
Sister get the bedpan ready for a dead man
Preparation for a deceased person is emphasized again.
Papa's got a hold of the wine
Repetition of Papa's control over wine.
Papa's got a hold of the Wine oh brother
Reiteration of Papa's wine possession with a similar phrasing.
Smelling like turpentine
Restatement of the turpentine scent associated with Papa.
Sister get the bedpan ready for a dead man
Repeated emphasis on preparing for a dead man.
Papa's got a hold of the wine
Emphasizing Papa's control over wine once again.
Papa's got a hold of the Wine oh brother
Reiteration of Papa's possession of wine.
Smelling like turpentine
The scent of turpentine is reiterated.
Sister get the bedpan ready for a dead man
Repeated emphasis on preparing for a dead man.
Papa's got a hold of the wine
Stressing once more that Papa has control of the wine.
Papa's got a hold of the wine
A final repetition, underscoring Papa's hold on the wine.
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