Papa – English Lyrics

• By: Paul Anka

Lyrics & Translation

Embark on a heartfelt journey with Paul Anka's "Papa," a timeless ballad that offers a deeply emotional reflection on the bonds of family, parental sacrifice, and the passage of life. Through its poignant lyrics and touching narrative, this song provides an authentic window into English expressions of love, grief, and resilience. Its universal themes make it particularly special for language learners, offering a rich vocabulary related to family, emotions, and life experiences in a beautifully crafted and easily understandable storytelling format. Learning English through "Papa" allows you to connect with the language on a profound emotional level.

[English]

Everyday my papa worked

to help to make ends meet

to see that we would eat

keep those shoes upon my feet

Every night my papa would take

and tuck me in my bed

kiss me on my head

after all my prayers were said

Growing up with him was easy

time just flew on by

the years began to fly

He aged and so did I

I could tell

that mama wasn't well

Papa knew and deep down so did she

so did she

When she died

my papa broke down and cried

All he said was "God, why not take me!"

Every night he sat there

sleeping in his rocking chair

He never went upstairs

all because she wasn't there

Then one day my papa said

"Son, I'm proud the way you've grown"

"make it on your own"

"I'll be O.K alone"

Every time I kiss my children

Papa's words ring true

"Your children live through you"

"they'll grow and leave you, too"

I remember every word

my papa used to say

I live that every day

He taught me well that way

Every night my papa would take

and tuck me in my bed

Kiss me on my head

after all my prayers were said

Every night my papa would take

and tuck me in my bed

tuck me in my bed

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
papa /ˈpæpə/ A1	noun - father
work /wɜːrk/ A1	verb - to do a job or tasks
help /hɛlp/ A1	verb - to assist or support
meet /miːt/ A1	verb - to come together or encounter
eat /iːt/ A1	verb - to consume food
keep /kiːp/ A1	verb - to retain or maintain
tuck /tʌk/ B1	verb - to put someone into bed
grow /ɡroʊ/ A2	verb - to develop or increase in size
easy /ˈiːzi/ A1	adjective - not difficult
age /eɪdʒ/ A2	verb - to grow old noun - the length of time lived
proud /praʊd/ A2	adjective - feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction
kiss /kɪs/ A1	verb - to touch with the lips as a sign of love
prayer /prɛər/ A2	noun - a request or act of communicating with a deity
break /breɪk/ A2	verb - to separate into pieces
cry /kraɪ/ A1	verb - to shed tears
live /lɪv/ A1	verb - to have life

Key Grammar Structures

• Everyday my papa worked to help to make ends meet

  ➔ Infinitive of Purpose

  ➔ The phrase "to help" is an infinitive of purpose, explaining why Papa worked. It indicates the goal or reason for the action.

• Every night my papa would take and tuck me in my bed

  ➔ "Would" for Past Habitual Actions

  ➔ The modal verb "would" is used here to describe actions that Papa regularly did in the past, similar to "used to".

• after all my prayers were said

  ➔ Passive Voice (Past Simple)

  ➔ The phrase "were said" is in the passive voice, indicating that the prayers were not said by the subject of the sentence, but rather someone (or something) said them. The focus is on the action received.

• Growing up with him was easy

  ➔ Gerund as Subject

  ➔ The verb "Growing" is in the gerund form (-ing) and functions as the subject of the sentence, referring to the act or process of growing up.

• He aged and so did I

  ➔ Inversion with "So"

  ➔ The phrase "so did I" is an example of inversion used to express agreement or similarity with a previous positive statement, meaning 'I also aged'.

• I could tell that mama wasn't well

  ➔ Modal Verb "Could" for Past Ability

  ➔ The modal verb "could" is used here to express an ability or possibility that existed in the past, meaning 'I was able to tell'.

• "Son, I'm proud the way you've grown"

  ➔ Present Perfect and Relative Clause (implied)

  ➔ "you've grown" is in the present perfect tense, indicating an action that started in the past and has a result or relevance to the present. "the way you've grown" is a relative clause where the relative pronoun (e.g., 'that' or 'in which') is omitted.

• I remember every word my papa used to say

  ➔ "Used to" for Past Habits

  ➔ The phrase "used to say" indicates a habitual action that occurred regularly in the past but does not happen anymore.

• Every time I kiss my children Papa's words ring true

  ➔ Adverbial Clause of Time

  ➔ The clause "Every time I kiss my children" functions as an adverbial clause of time, specifying when Papa's words 'ring true'. It sets the condition for the main action.

• "Your children live through you"

  ➔ Phrasal Verb

  ➔ "live through" is a phrasal verb meaning to experience something and continue to exist or function after it, often implying that part of you continues in your children.