Ancestors
Tagaq feat. Björk Lyrics
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I admit he said I did it
I'll play the fool
Underneath me
I, you
But, I told and undo
And say, undo
And will and we all
The lyrics of the song “Ancestors” by Tagaq feat. Björk embrace the idea of reclaiming and redefining one's identity, by diving deep into the roots and the history of one’s heritage. The opening line "I'll pick you, I'll take you" seems like an invitation from the singer to the listeners, calling them to explore the depths and layers of their own ancestry. The line "I admit he said I did it", can be seen as a depiction of the sense of shame that can come with acknowledging past wrongdoings or mistakes.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is playing the fool, allowing herself to unravel and explore the deepest, darkest parts of her own ancestry, in order to find a sense of belonging and purpose. The line "But, I told and undo / And say, undo" can be interpreted as a reference to undoing past traumas or injustices by acknowledging them, facing them and ultimately, letting them go. The song ends on a hopeful note with the line "Live, I say / And will and we all", which encourages the listeners to embrace life, and to take charge of their own existence, in spite of any obstacles that may present themselves along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll pick you, I'll take you
I will guide you and lead you forward
I admit he said I did it
I confess that I am responsible for my actions
I'll play the fool
I will act silly or foolish in order to entertain
Underneath me
Beneath my exterior lies something deeper
I, you
The connection and overlap between us
But, I told and undo
I confess and seek to undo the harm I've done
And say, undo
I ask for a second chance to start over
Live, I say
Life is worth embracing and enjoying
And will and we all
Together, we have the power to create and shape our world
Writer(s): Bjork Gudmundsdottir, Tanya Gillis
Contributed by Grace M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.