"I was blessed with a birth and a death, and I guess I just want some say in between"

Ani DiFranco’s words reflect a profound awareness of the inevitability of both birth and death, two moments that lie entirely outside of human control. These are the bookends of every life, marking the points at which existence begins and ends, both predetermined and unavoidable. By stating she was “blessed” with both, DiFranco acknowledges that simply being born and given the opportunity to experience life is a gift, as is the eventual closure that death brings, natural as a part of the human experience.

Between these two definitive events, however, there is an expanse of time, the “in between,” where personal autonomy, choice, and individual agency come into play. The singer’s yearning “for some say” is a desire for self-determination. So much in life is subject to circumstance, tradition, influence, and social expectation, but within whatever limitations exist, an individual may hope to exercise their will, make meaningful choices, and assert control over the trajectory of their life. This call is neither selfish nor rebellious; it resonates as a universal human longing for purpose and presence.

DiFranco’s perspective finds its place in a broader philosophical tradition that recognizes the tension between determinism and free will. While much of what shapes a person’s existence is beyond their consent, the interval between their beginning and end contains opportunities to define identity, values, and destiny. The phrase quietly suggests that human dignity arises from having the freedom, or at least the opportunity, to shape one’s own story. It is also an implicit statement on empowerment, encouraging the listener to find their own voice amid life’s preordained boundaries.

Ultimately, DiFranco’s words articulate the bittersweet beauty of life: while it starts and ends without our input, the journey in between is ours to navigate, with all the responsibility, struggle, and reward that entails.