Staffelei translates to "easel", the freestanding structure used by artists to support a canvas or board while painting. It's a less common word in everyday German, making it stand out.
In the context of the song, the narrator sings, "Ich bewahr' deine Staffelei" (I'll keep your easel). This line evokes a poignant image of preserving the artistic legacy of a loved one who has passed away, highlighting the deep emotional connection to their creative spirit and memory.
Johannes Oerding's "Ihr Da Oben" is a really touching song about dealing with loss and remembering those who are no longer with us. He sings about someone packing their bags and leaving quietly, not wanting to wake anyone: "Du packst deinen Koffer, du gehst auf die Reise / Du gehst still und leise, möchtest niemanden wecken" [You pack your suitcase, you go on a journey / You go quietly, not wanting to wake anyone].
It's clear he's talking about people who have passed away, and he wonders if they're all together somewhere else, asking, "Habt ihr da oben irgendwas vor?" [Do you have something planned up there?]. He misses them terribly, saying, "Ihr sollt wissen, hier unten war es besser mit euch" [You should know, it was better down here with you]. Even though he feels angry sometimes, thinking, "Hast uns allein gelassen / Du bist einfach gestorben" [You left us alone / You just died], he finds comfort in their memories, their words, and their music. He believes they'll see each other again, repeating, "Denn wir sehn uns wieder" [Because we'll see each other again].