Known for blending traditional Jewish themes with Reggae, rock and hip hop sounds, Matisyahu is most recognizable for being an orthodox Jew and writing a number of songs based on his faith and beliefs. Since 2004, he has released four studio albums as well as one live album, two remix CDs and one DVD featuring a live concert, and a number of interviews. Through his short career, Matisyahu has teamed up with some of the biggest names in reggae production including Bill Laswell and duo Sly & Robbie. The Tel Aviv'n Songfacts states several tracks of his fourth studio album, Spark Seeker, were recorded in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Since his debut, Matisyahu has received positive reviews from both rock and reggae outlets. Most recently, he was named Top Reggae Artist of 2006 by Billboard as well as being named a spokesperson for Kenneth Cole.
Matthew Miller was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA on June 30th 1979, corresponding to the Jewish date of the 5th of Tamuz 5740. Shortly after his birth, the Miller family moved to Berkeley, CA and eventually settled in White Plains, NY. Growing up, Matisyahu's parents sent him to Hebrew School a couple of times a week, but like many kids, he resisted the additional school hours and was frequently threatened with expulsion for disrupting the lessons.
By the age of 14, Matthew Miller slid comfortably into the laid-back lifestyle of a teenage hippie. Having fallen in with the "Dead-Head" crowd, he grew dreadlocks and wore his Birkenstocks all winter long. He played his bongos in the lunchroom and learned how to beat-box in the back of class. By 11th grade, despite his carefree days, Matisyahu couldn't ignore the void in his life. After nearly burning down his chemistry class, he knew his mission must begin immediately. He decided to set off on a camping trip in Colorado. Away from his suburban life in White Plains, Matisyahu had the opportunity to take an introspective look at himself and contemplate his environment. It was there in the awe-inspiring landscape of the Rocky Mountains, that Matisyahu had an eye-opening realization: there is a God.
After Colorado, his spiritual curiosity piqued and Matisyahu took his first trip to Israel. There, for the first time in his life, he felt a connection to the God he discovered in Colorado. Israel was a major turning point. Matisyahu relished the time he spent there, praying, exploring, and dancing in Jerusalem. In every nook he encountered, his dormant Jewish identity stirred into consciousness.
Leaving Israel proved to be a difficult transition. Once back in White Plains, Matisyahu didn't know how to maintain his new connection with Judaism. Feeling dejected, he fatefully dropped out of high school and began following Phish on a national tour. On the road, Matisyahu thought seriously about his life, his music, and his thirst for Judaism.
After a few months, burnt out and broke, he returned home. By this time his parents insisted that Matisyahu go and "straighten" himself out at a wilderness school in Bend, Oregon. The school encouraged artistic pursuits and Matisyahu took advantage of this time to delve further into his music. He studied up on reggae and hip-hop. He attended a weekly open-mic where he rapped, sang, beat-boxed, and did almost anything he could to stay creatively charged. It was then that he started to develop the unique reggae-hip hop sound for which he would one day become known.
After 2 years in the "sticks," the 19-year old Matisyahu returned to New York a changed man. He moved to the city to attend The New School where he continued honing his musical craft, and also dabbled in the theater. During this time, he happened on the Carlebach Shul, a synagogue on the Upper West Side, well known for its hippie-friendly vibe and exuberant singing. This encounter further fueled his soul-fire, turning him on to the mystical power of song in Hasidic Judaism. Now, instead of beat boxing in the back of the classroom, he was leaving the classroom to pray on the school's roof. (Religious or not, this guy ain't made for the classrooms.)
While studying at New School, Matisyahu wrote a play entitled "Echad" (One). The play was about a boy who meets a Hasidic rabbi in Washington Square Park and through him becomes religious. Shortly after the play's performance, Matisyahu's life strangely imitated his art. Indeed, years after the initial sparks were lit, Matisyahu met a Lubavitcher rabbi in the park, spurring his transformation from Matthew to Matisyahu.
A person who was once skeptical of authority and rules, Matisyahu began to explore and eventually fully take on the Lubavitch Hasidic lifestyle. He thrived on the discipline and structure of Judaism, making every attempt to abide by Jewish Law. The Chabad-Lubavitch philosophy proved to be a powerful guide for Matisyahu. It surrounded him with the spiritual dialogue and intellectual challenge he had been seeking for the past decade. The turmoil and frustration of his search subsided, and now, 2 years later, Matisyahu lives in Crown Heights, splitting his time between the stage and his yeshiva.
Drawing from the sounds of Bob Marley, Shlomo Carlebach, Buju Banton, and Sizzla, yet remaining wholly original, Matisyahu's performance is an uplifting, powerful experience for all in his presence. Even the most pessimistic in his audience is inspired by his ability to so honestly convey such a delicate topic as faith/spirituality. It is his dedication to his belief and openness to others that compels one to respect his artistry and message. It's in that fleeting moment when our skepticism melts and our souls open up, that Matisyahu enters with his booming sound of faith.
http://www.matisyahuworld.com/
Father in the Forest
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A scream and a cry and a yell.
A father in the forest searching for his children.
Children, children where have you gone to.
Because of me you have forgotten.
Children, children come home to me.
Because I am lonely to be sitting all alone.
Father, Father we cannot come home.
Because there is a guard standing by the door.
The lyrics to Matisyahu's "Father in the Forest" tell a heartbreaking story of a father searching for his lost children. The opening lines describe the father's anguish as he calls out for his children in the forest. He is desperately seeking their return but is met with silence. The second set of lyrics give insight into the reason his children may not be returning. The father realizes that his actions have caused his children to forget him. In their absence, he has become lonely and isolated.
The children's response, that they cannot come home because of the guard by the door, implies that there is some kind of barrier preventing them from returning. It is unclear whether this is a physical barrier or a metaphorical one. It could be interpreted as a reference to the difficulties and obstacles that can arise in a family when relationships are strained, or it could represent external societal or cultural pressures that are keeping the children from returning to their father.
The song is a poignant exploration of the emotional toll that can result from fractured relationships within a family. It is a reminder of the importance of nurturing and maintaining those relationships in order to avoid the pain that comes with separation and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
A scream and a cry and a yell.
The father is frantically calling out for his lost children in the forest.
A father in the forest searching for his children.
The father is desperately searching for his lost children in the forest.
Children, children where have you gone to.
The father is asking where his children have wandered off to.
Because of me you have forgotten.
The father believes that his behavior or actions may have caused his children to become lost or forgetful.
Children, children come home to me.
The father is pleading for his children to return home to him.
Because I am lonely to be sitting all alone.
The father is feeling lonely and alone without his children by his side.
Father, Father we cannot come home.
The children are responding to their father's call, but explaining that they are unable to return home.
Because there is a guard standing by the door.
The children are being prevented from returning home by an external force, represented by the guard standing by the door.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Matt Strat
A scream and a cry and a yell.
A father in the forest searching for his children.
Children, children where have you gone to.
Because of me you have forgotten.
Children, children come home to me.
Because I am lonely to be sitting all alone.
Father, Father we cannot come home.
Because there is a guard standing by the door.
Jackrjbr
2020, ainda é uma das minhas favoritas. Alguém comigo na quarentena?
ari286
One of my favorite albums ♥
bigwizzle45
Finally found it. Awesome track.
Jinieza Gevera
You are legend .you make history in the music industry.I salute on you matis
José J.
God bless you, Matishyahu! Keep making good spiritual music for us!
Emmanuel Pino
Gracias por tu música Matisyahu!!! :)
IntoTheFray
as a gentile Christian I completely agree. I havnt read all of the Law in the latter. But I read Genesis while I was locked up.. It is truly water for the soul.
Jinieza Gevera
You are legend .you make history in the music industry.I salute on you matis
Kaan Nizam
i dont really care if you dont really like the song you've gotta give its credit for being such a good melody. really. awesome.
Daniel Almaraz
I feel like walking in the middle of the Sahara right now! :D