PAPA – English Lyrics

• By: Paul Anka

Lyrics & Translation

Immerse yourself in the heartfelt storytelling of Paul Anka's "Papa." This touching ballad offers a window into the universal language of filial love, showcasing how an artist recounts his father's struggles and enduring loyalty, making it a beautiful study in expressing deep, personal emotion through song.

[English]

Everyday my papa would work

To try to make ends meet

To see that we would eat

Keep those shoes upon my feet

Everynight my papa would take me

Tuck me in my bed.

Kiss me on my head

After all my prayers were said

There were years of sadness

and of tears

Through it all, together we were strong

We were strong

The times were rough

But papa, he was tough

He was tough

And mama, she stood beside him all along

All along

Growing up with them was easy...

...time just flew on by

The years began to fly

They aged, but so did I

I could tell...

Mama wasn't well

And papa knew and deep down so did she

So did she

And when she died

Papa broke down and he cried

And all he could say was 'God why her?'

'Take me'

Take me

Everyday he sat there sleeping

in his rocking chair

He never went upstairs

'Cause she wasn't there

Then one day, my papa said 'Son'

'I'm proud of how you've grown'

He said 'Go make it on your own'

'And don't worry, I'm okay alone'

He said

'There are things you must do'

'Places you must see'

His eyes were sad as he

As he said 'Goodbye' to me

Everytime I kiss my children

Papa's words ring true

He said 'Your children, they live through you'

They grow, they leave you too

I remember every word

My papa used to say

I kiss my kids and I pray

That they'll think of me

...that way...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
papa /ˈpɑːpə/ A2	noun - father; dad
mama /ˈmɑːmɑː/ A2	noun - mother; mom
children /ˈtʃɪldrən/ A1	noun - young people; kids
kiss /kɪs/ A1	verb - to press one's lips against someone or something
cry /kraɪ/ A1	verb - to shed tears
sad /sæd/ A1	adjective - unhappy; sorrowful
strong /strɔːŋ/ A2	adjective - physically powerful; robust
tough /tʌf/ B1	adjective - hard and resilient; difficult to break
proud /praʊd/ B1	adjective - feeling deep satisfaction with oneself or someone else
work /wɜːrk/ A1	verb - to do a job or activity
make /meɪk/ A1	verb - to create or produce something
grow /ɡroʊ/ A2	verb - to increase in size, develop
pray /preɪ/ A2	verb - to speak to a deity, ask for help
time /taɪm/ A1	noun - a period during which events occur
years /jɪrz/ A1	noun - periods of twelve months
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - the organs of sight
god /ɡɒd/ A1	noun - a supreme being; deity
alone /əˈloʊn/ A2	adjective - by oneself; solitary
remember /rɪˈmɛm.bɚ/ A2	verb - to keep something in mind; to recall

Key Grammar Structures

• Everyday my papa would work

  ➔ Present Simple in the Past (used 'would' for past habits)

  ➔ The use of 'would' here indicates a repeated action in the past, emphasizing the routine nature of the father's work.

• To see that we would eat

  ➔ Infinitive of Purpose ('to see')

  ➔ The infinitive 'to see' is used to express the purpose of the father's work, which is to ensure the family's meals.

• There were years of sadness and of tears

  ➔ Past Continuous (implied by 'were') for a prolonged state

  ➔ The use of 'were' here implies a continuous state of sadness and tears over a period of years.

• He said 'Go make it on your own'

  ➔ Direct Speech (quotation marks and reporting verb 'said')

  ➔ The use of quotation marks and the reporting verb 'said' indicates direct speech, where the exact words spoken are reproduced.

• They grow, they leave you too

  ➔ Simple Present for General Truths

  ➔ The simple present is used here to express a general truth about children growing up and eventually leaving their parents.