Ancestral

Steven Wilson's song "Ancestral" delves into the complex interplay between memory, guilt, and the passage of time. The lyrics open with a stark observation about the nature of guilt and the human tendency to ignore inconvenient truths. The line "Reason never seems to come to guilty men" suggests that those who are guilty often fail to see reason, perhaps because they are too consumed by their own justifications or distractions. This theme of self-deception is further explored with the idea that faith can blind individuals to reality, as they choose to ignore evidence that contradicts their beliefs.

The imagery in the song is both vivid and nostalgic, evoking a sense of lost innocence and the passage of time. References to a bicycle, a garden wall, and a mother's call paint a picture of childhood memories, moments that once held great significance but now seem distant and almost meaningless. This juxtaposition of past and present highlights the transient nature of life and the inevitability of change. The sleet falling on the narrator symbolizes the cold, harsh realities that intrude upon these once-warm memories.

The song also touches on themes of isolation and existential despair. The city dwellers who "live alone" and emerge at twilight represent those who are disconnected from society, haunted by their own thoughts and memories. The lyrics suggest a sense of inevitability in the decline of the human spirit, as seen in the lines "When the world doesn't want you, it will never tell you why." This sense of rejection and the struggle to find meaning in a world that seems indifferent is a poignant reflection on the human condition. Ultimately, the song encourages a return to one's roots and a remembrance of one's true self, even in the face of life's relentless march forward.