Ta Moko

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)