Quicksand
Björk Lyrics


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Define her abyss, show it respect
Then a celestial nest will grow above

When I'm broken, I am whole
And when I'm whole, I'm broken

Our mother's philosophy
It feels like quicksand
And if she sinks
I'm going down with her

Locate her black lake, the steam from this pit
Will form a cloud for her to live on

When she's broken, she is whole
And when she's whole, she's broken

Our mother's philosophy
It feels like quicksand
And if she sinks
I'm going down with her

Hackle this darkness
Up to the light
Where choreographed oxygen
Embroiders the air

When we're broken we are whole
And when we're whole we're broken

We are the siblings of the sun
Let's step into this beam
Every time you give up
You take away our future
And my continuity and my daughter's
And her daughters




And her daughters
And her daughters

Overall Meaning

Björk's song Quicksand is a deeply personal and introspective track that seems to be questioning traditional notions of identity and wholeness. The lyrics suggest that it's important to embrace one's abyss, or inner darkness, rather than trying to suppress it or hide it away. Only then can a "celestial nest" grow above, perhaps indicating a more transcendent sense of self or purpose. The theme of brokenness and wholeness is repeated throughout the song, with the implication that each state contains elements of the other. It may be that Björk is suggesting that traditional concepts of wholeness are ultimately limiting and unattainable, and that we should strive instead to embrace our complexity and contradictions.


The lyrics also touch on the relationship between mothers and children, with the suggestion that a mother's philosophy can be both inspiring and potentially dangerous, like quicksand. Björk seems to be suggesting that it's important to remain connected to our mothers, but also to explore our own paths and avoid getting pulled down by their influence. The vision of the "black lake" and the "steam from this pit" suggests a kind of creative energy that can be harnessed and transformed, leading to a more elevated existence. Ultimately, the message of the song seems to be one of hope and resilience, urging the listener to embrace their darkness and strive towards a more integrated sense of self.


Line by Line Meaning

Define her abyss, show it respect
Acknowledge and accept the depths of her emotions and thoughts with reverence.


Then a celestial nest will grow above
By truly understanding and respecting her inner turmoil, a beautiful peaceful existence will emerge.


When I'm broken, I am whole
During periods of emotional turmoil and pain, the individual can and will feel complete.


And when I'm whole, I'm broken
Even when feeling fulfilled, there is a sense of incompleteness and perhaps vulnerability.


Our mother's philosophy
The teachings and beliefs of the singer's mother.


It feels like quicksand
These teachings and beliefs are causing the singer to feel stuck and pulled down.


And if she sinks
If her mother spirals further into her beliefs and emotions.


I'm going down with her
The singer is being pulled down by her mother's struggles and suffering as well.


Locate her black lake, the steam from this pit
Find the source of her mother's struggles - the darkness at the bottom of the pit.


Will form a cloud for her to live on
But when faced and acknowledged, the resulting sense of catharsis will lift her from the darkness into a serene state.


Hackle this darkness
Confront and overcome the hardships of life - navigate the darkness.


Up to the light
Until one reaches the light of spiritual fulfillment and inner peace.


Where choreographed oxygen
The air becomes a symphony, perfect and harmonious.


Embroiders the air
The atmosphere becomes enriched and adorned with the beauty of life.


When we're broken we are whole
The idea that one's darkest moments can bring a profound sense of clarity and'self-discovery.


And when we're whole we're broken
The vulnerability and fear that comes with feeling fulfilled in one's spiritual journey.


We are the siblings of the sun
As human beings, we are among the most elevated and spiritual of creatures.


Let's step into this beam
Let us embrace the light and love of the sun, and integrate these into our lives.


Every time you give up
Quitting is inevitably and totally destructive to oneself and society at large.


You take away our future
When one opts out of the struggle, it leaves the rest of humanity without hope or a vision for the future.


And my continuity and my daughter's
This destructive cycle perpetuates across generations.


And her daughters
Further perpetuating and amplifying the cycle of despair.


And her daughters
Through generations and time, the cycle continues.




Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bjork Gudmundsdottir, John Flynn

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@KELE02000

Define her abyss
Show it respect
Then a celestial nest
Will grow above

When I'm broken, I am whole
And when I'm whole, I'm broken

Our mother's philosophy
It feels like quicksand
And if she sinks
I'm going down with her

Locate her black lake
The steam from this pit
Will form a cloud
For her to live on

When she's broken, she is whole
And when she's whole, she's broken

Our mother's philosophy
It feels like quicksand
And if she sinks
I'm going down with her

Hackle this darkness
Up to the light
Where choreographed oxygen
Embroiders the air

When we're broken we are whole
And when we're whole we're broken

We are the siblings of the sun
Let's step into this beam
Every time you give up
You take away our future
And my continuity and my daughter's
And her daughters
And her daughters
And her daughters



All comments from YouTube:

@SammyGallant

Best song off of "Vulnicura" in my opinion. A great finale to an epic album.

@devonparker6243

my opinion too

@charliez077

Mouth Mantra + Quicksand are my fave songs of the album, imo this is where the album gets really creative :-)
(also I have to mention the devastatingly beautiful Stonemilker...)

@terrenceisterrencewas4018

it's actually the worst track lol

@StickThisUpYourAnus

@@terrenceisterrencewas4018 please elaborate?

@terrenceisterrencewas4018

@@StickThisUpYourAnus quicksand was my least when i said it but i decided to listen again and it began my fav lool

1 More Replies...

@10mimu

The final lyrics are a prelude to Utopia... her preoccupation with the future...

@glandulaoxidante7743

This song has plenty of ties to Utopia, actually. She talks of forming clouds and a celestial nest that grows above, which are both symbols of Utopia, from the floating island seen in the titles track's MV and the album being themed around 'air'. It paints a picture that Vulnicura is an abyss inside a sand pit and that she crawled out of it to reach a floating island. Other then that, the repetition of 'and her daughter' is also present in the track sue me, which serves as a polar opposite to this song as it fits the album; sue me being an angry song in a peaceful album and Quicksand being a peaceful song in a really sad album.

Björk's writing is absolutely wonderful

@divine5460

"Where choreographed oxygen
Embroiders the air"

you can't write lyrics more beautiful than that. holy fuck

@WMonicaW13

i think vulnicura was the first album from Bjork i heard in full and i fell in love upon the first listen. never has been difficult for me to appreciate her work

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