We walked the wharf at Papeete

2 weeks ago by @timfatchenMod

Liner Notes

Another song from the October 2023 visit to Tahiti. I often think visually as I'm writing/creating, and it amazes me at times how big a choke factor gets in the way of actually performing because of it. It's as if it were yesterday Deborah and I were roaming Papeete.
And we only went ashore prior to a bus tour to find some analgesics--the first indication of disaster to come--which fortunately we bought before we splurged on the Tahitian ukulele. So this song is indeed what happened. We fortunately had almost enough cash in our on-shore purses to jointly pay for the ukulele, and the luthier shop gave us the rest as a discount. The instrument was already going half price as a 40-year-in-business bargain/draw. Well, it drew me.
The song will have to be re-recorded if I ever decide to use it. At least I might then practise and get it right...There are three ukuleles running, my Kala concert played L and R with slightly different settings in production, and the sharper higher thinner sound of the Tahitian ukulele coming through the center.
The eight-string Tahitian uke is a solid heavy instrument with a conical resonant cavity opening to the back (hence also "banjo"). Tuning differs: there's no re-entrant, but chord fingering is equivalent. The fishing line is 20lb, used on every string. I had to switch to 30lb line when restringing because the stuff from my old fishing box kept breaking. El cheapos on sale on the street: US$120-$180. Base-grade by a recognised maker, $400. Top end made by a recognised master with timber from sacred groves on Mo'orea, $3000-$6000. And the best of fishing line. "Golden trumpet" (refers to the flower, but so is the wood) Cordia subcordata from the forest. Ironwood is Casuarina equisetifolia, familiar to east coast Oz as fringing all the mid to northern beaches. #fuc #tahitian-ukulele #ukulele #folk #tahiti #travel #cruise

Lyrics

WE WALKED THE WHARF AT PAPEETE
Words & Music Copyright © 2025 TJ Fatchen All Rights Reserved APRA-AMCOS

We walked the wharf at Papeete
All around the bands were playing
Singers singing, listeners swaying
Through it all the ukulele

Calling sweetly, "buy me now"!
Going cheap, won't let you down!
Only the best of fishing line
Round the local woods entwined"

To the markets, lured by romance
All around the bands were playing
Singers singing, listeners swaying
Urging us to seize the chance

Calling sweetly, "buy me now"!
Going cheap, won't let you down!
Only the best of fishing line
Round the local woods entwined"

Into the makers' little shop
Driven by the songs sublime
Lined with ukuleles fine
It's too late for us to stop

A whole wall singing, "buy me now"!
Cheap or dear, won't let you down!
Only the best of fishing line
Round the local woods entwined"

Golden trumpet from the forest
Horsetail ironwood from the shore
Fishing line from atoll waters
Who could ever ask for more?

Sold we were! We pooled our cash
(Credit cards non grata there!)
And seized the ukulele fair
And for the cruise ship made our dash.

We walked the wharf at Papeete
All around the bands were playing
Singers singing, listeners swaying
Through it all the ukulele

Calling sweetly, "got your crown"!
A joy forever, won't let you down!
Only the best of fishing line
Round the local woods entwined

Calling sweetly, "got your crown"!
A joy forever, won't let you down!
And though it's odds you'll never return
We'll be with you, as you learn
We'll be with you, as you learn"

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