Ta Moko Songtext / Lyric

When I look back over the years

At the things that brought tears to my eyes

Papa said: "We have to be wise to live long lives"

Now I recognize what my father said before he dies

Vocalize things I've left unsaid



Left my spirit unfed for too long

I'm coming home to my family where I can be strong

Be who I planned to be

Within me, my ancestry

Givin' me continuity



Would it be remiss to continue in this way?

Would you rather I quit

Come with the other shit?

Making people's hips sway



Lip service I pay but I'm nervous

I pray for all the mothers who get no sleep

Like a lifeline I light lines 'cause my compassion is deep

For the people who fashioned me my soul to keep






And this is who I happen to be

And if I don't see that I'm strong then I won't be



This is what my daddy told me

I wished he would hold me

A little more than he did



But he taught me my culture

And how to live positive

I never wanna shame



The blood in my veins and bring pain

To my sweet grandfather's face

In his resting place



I make haste to learn and not waste

Everything my forefathers earned in tears

For my culture



Hello, dad, remember me?

I'm the man you thought I'd never be

I'm the boy who you reduced to tears

Dad, I'd been lonely for 27 years



Yeah, that's right, my name's Rob

I'm the one who landed the pop stars job

I'm the one who you told: "Look, don't touch"

And the kid who wouldn't amount too much



I believe in the senses out of sound

I have always been too loud

Won't you help me drown it out?



I'm what I feel

And what I'm feeling is surreal

I'm a massive spinnin' wheel

Always digging in my heels

Now I got the faith



Fall back again

Crawl from the warm water

Water to air

You're on your feet again, your feet again



Lace up your boots, we're going back to the roots

Speaking to my ghetto youths freak freaking for loot

And nice things, better check what your future brings

It's now and your forefathers for the know-how



Go now into the world without hatred

Use your head if the needle is wise, be the thread

And weave ancestral wisdom, yours by birth

Spreading the Lord's word over this broad earth



This is what my daddy told me

I wished he would hold me

A little more than he did



But he taught me my culture

And how to live positive

I never wanna shame



The blood in my veins and bring pain

To my sweet grandfather's face

In his resting place



I make haste to learn and not waste

Everything my forefathers earned in tears

For my culture



Fall back again

Crawl from the warm water

Water to air

You're on your feet again, your feet again (For my culture)



Fall back again

Crawl from the warm water

Water to air

You're on your feet again, your feet again (For my culture)