Papa (Rap La Rue) Lyrics – Erda

Papa (Rap La Rue) Lyrics Meaning

[Strophe 1]
The first verse sets a dark, emotional scene. The artist describes feeling drowned in sorrow, lying on the edge of a bed, symbolizing deep pain and emotional exhaustion. The mention of the father hiding from the police in the past suggests a troubled background, possibly linked to crime or instability. The child, now grown, calls out to their father, questioning if he can hear them. But all that remains are painful memories, and there’s nothing left for the father to explain—perhaps because his actions have already spoken for themselves. The reference to glasses being thrown at the mother hints at past domestic violence, trauma that still weighs heavily. The artist expresses recklessness, speeding on the road while screaming, which could symbolize self-destructive tendencies born from unresolved pain. The only thing left of the father is his last name—no love, no guidance, just an identity that carries a heavy burden. The search for answers, for a reason behind the suffering, moves in circles—first looking at the father, then inward, but never finding peace. Despite all the hurt, there’s a struggle between wanting to hate him and the need to find inner calm, as patience and forgiveness are virtues taught by faith.

[Refrain]
The chorus is a powerful expression of loss and longing. The artist mourns the loss of their father—not necessarily in the physical sense but emotionally, as if he has disappeared like the wind. There’s a deep desire to turn back time, to redo everything so that life wouldn’t take away their chance at a real father-child relationship. Despite the pain, they try not to hate him and convince themselves that his words were true, perhaps as a way to cope. They question how much more they must suffer before finally receiving his love. The father’s avoidance—his refusal to truly see or acknowledge them—leaves a painful gap. Yet, even with all the bitterness, there’s a lingering hope that someday, somehow, they might find peace.

[Strophe 2]
This verse reflects on the father’s character and the impact he had. The artist acknowledges that their father, too, knows what it feels like to lose everything, possibly implying that he also suffered in life. There’s a realization that they have inherited some of his traits—his stubbornness, his recklessness—perhaps even against their own will. The pain deepens when they reflect on how little their father seemed to care about what happened to them and their sibling. But instead of fighting it, they reach a place of reluctant acceptance: their father is who he is, and that won’t change. Looking at old childhood pictures, they question whether he ever truly loved them. The pain is so deep that sometimes they pretend he doesn’t exist at all, because that’s easier than facing the reality of his absence. The silence surrounding them now is a stark contrast to the chaos he once brought.

[Refrain]
The chorus repeats, reinforcing the themes of loss, regret, and longing. The artist wishes they could rewrite the past to avoid the pain they’ve endured. They struggle not to hate their father, trying instead to believe in his words, even if they doubt them. The desperation for love remains, with the haunting question of how much they must suffer before finally feeling wanted. The father’s avoidance and dishonesty continue to hurt, but through all the pain, there is still a small, fragile hope that peace might come one day.