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/
Fire Of Heaven Dub
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fire descends from on high in the shape of a lion
Burn the sacrifice of pride and ride on Mount Zion
Rub me the wrong way, taking the highway
Rubbing sticks together but your fire's man-made
Capitalize on hot air, soar like an airplane
Yearn to rise in the sky quick high like cocaine
False pride is suicide but you've got nothing to gain
Drowning in their champagne
Explosion pulled the pin in the hand grenade
Soul stain blowing up
In your own domain
Fire crackers ohh and aah
But they never maintain
[bridge]
Fires burning
Flames are dancing
Don't burn the house down Lord
Heavenly fire only resides on an alter made from the ground
[chorus]
Fire descends on high in the shape of a lion
Burn the sacrifice of pride and ride on to Mount Zion
[repeat 2x]
[verse 2]
One pair of eyes
But see two different things
One person cries but the other one sings
You walk around like everybody owes ya something
Take what you got, thank G-d for all that life brings
The poor man has it all but not content with anything
While the rich man's hands are empty but he's sitting like a kind
[bridge]
[verse 3]
Backpack's geting heavey, moving at a steady pace
Carrying bricks on your shoulders and lead around your waist
Making way, run in haste
There is no time to taste what you ate
WE should be grateful got a plateful
Fire burns like ice morcels falling fire like rain
[chorus]
The song "Fire of Heaven" by Matisyahu is about the power and importance of recognizing and overcoming pride in one's life. The lyrics describe an intense metaphorical fire that descends from on high in the form of a lion, representing the power and authority of God. This fire is said to burn away the sacrifice of pride, allowing the listener to rise up and fulfill their purpose in life, symbolized by riding on to Mount Zion.
The lyrics also touch on the dangers of false pride and how it can lead to destruction. The imagery of Babylon's buildings raising like flames and people drowning in champagne serves as a warning against the excesses of materialism and egotism. The lyrics urge the listener to recognize the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures and instead seek lasting fulfillment through humility and gratitude.
The song's bridge emphasizes the importance of recognizing the sacredness and power of fire. Heavenly fire is said to only reside on an altar made from the ground, implying that it must be approached with reverence and respect. The song's final verse encourages the listener to let go of burdensome baggage and move forward in gratitude, acknowledging the fleeting nature of life and the importance of staying focused on what truly matters.
Line by Line Meaning
Fire descends from on high in the shape of a lion
God's power descends upon the earth with unmatched ferocity and strength
Burn the sacrifice of pride and ride on Mount Zion
To reach divine elevation, one must let go of their ego and follow the path of righteousness
Rub me the wrong way, taking the highway
When someone challenges us, we should see it as an opportunity for growth rather than opting to take the easier, self-serving path
Rubbing sticks together but your fire's man-made
Human creations may be impressive, but they cannot surpass the majesty and power of the divine
Capitalize on hot air, soar like an airplane
Many people succeed through arrogance and self-promotion, but true success requires humility and hard work
Yearn to rise in the sky quick high like cocaine
We often crave instant gratification, but true rewards come from patience and persistence
False pride is suicide but you've got nothing to gain
Arrogance and selfishness may bring temporary pleasure, but ultimately one ends up losing everything
Babylon's buildings raise like flames
Materialistic pursuits, if left unchecked, can destroy individuals and societies alike
Drowning in their champagne
Excessive indulgence in worldly pleasures leads to emptiness and despair
Explosion pulled the pin in the hand grenade
Unchecked anger and aggression can lead to disastrous consequences
Soul stain blowing up
Mistakes leave a mark on our souls that we carry with us forever
In your own domain
One's actions have consequences that can affect those close to them
Fire crackers ohh and aah
People may find superficial things entertaining, but they lack substance and long-lasting worth
But they never maintain
Things that seem exciting and new quickly lose their novelty and become meaningless
Fires burning
Passion and motivation are important for personal growth and success
Flames are dancing
The world is full of wonder and beauty, waiting to be discovered and appreciated
Don't burn the house down Lord
As we strive for greater things, we must remember to maintain balance and not destroy what we have in the process
Heavenly fire only resides on an alter made from the ground
Divine blessings can only be found by connecting to the earth and our fellow humans
One pair of eyes
We may see the same things, but how we interpret them defines us
But see two different things
Our experiences and biases affect our perception of the world
One person cries but the other one sings
Two people can face the same hardship, but one may see it as an opportunity for growth while the other is consumed by despair
You walk around like everybody owes ya something
Entitlement and victim mentality prevent people from taking responsibility for their own lives and finding success and happiness
Take what you got, thank G-d for all that life brings
Gratitude and humility are key to leading a fulfilling life
The poor man has it all but not content with anything
Wealth does not guarantee happiness, and true contentment comes from within
While the rich man's hands are empty but he's sitting like a king
Material wealth does not equate to personal worth and fulfillment, and success should not be measured solely by financial gain
Backpack's geting heavey, moving at a steady pace
Life is full of difficulties and challenges, but persistence and perseverance can get us through
Carrying bricks on your shoulders and lead around your waist
We often unintentionally burden ourselves with stress and worry, but we have the power to put down our figurative baggage
Making way, run in haste
Time waits for no one, and we must keep moving forward to achieve our goals
There is no time to taste what you ate
Life moves quickly, and it's important to savor the moments before they're gone
WE should be grateful got a plateful
Gratitude and appreciation for what we have can bring more joy than constantly striving for more
Fire burns like ice morcels falling fire like rain
Our emotions can be as unpredictable and fleeting as the weather, but ultimately they shape who we are
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: JOSHUA WERNER, MATTHEW MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andy Gabe
Fire descends from on high in the shape of a lion
Burn the sacrifice of pride and ride on Mount Zion
Fire descends from on high in the shape of a lion
Burn the sacrifice of pride and ride on Mount Zion
Rub me the wrong way, taking the highway
Rubbing sticks together but your fire's man-made
Capitalize on hot air, soar like an airplane
Yearn to rise in the sky quick high like cocaine
False pride is suicide but you've got nothing to gain
Babylon's buildings raise like flames
Drowning in their champagne
Explosion pulled the pin in the hand grenade
Soul stain blowing up
In your own domain
Fire crackers ohh and aah
But they never maintain
Fires burning
Flames are dancing
Don't burn the house down Lord
Heavenly fire only resides on an alter made from the ground
Fire descends on high in the shape of a lion
Burn the sacrifice of pride and ride on to Mount Zion
Fire descends from on high in the shape of a lion
Burn the sacrifice of pride and ride on Mount Zion
One pair of eyes
But see two different things
One person cries but the other one sings
You walk around like everybody owes ya something
Take what you got, thank God for all that life brings
The poor man has it all but not content with anything
While the rich man's hands are empty but he's sitting like a king
Fires burning
Flames are dancing
Don't burn the house down Lord
Heavenly fire only resides on an alter made from the ground
Backpack's getting heavy, moving at a steady pace
Carrying bricks on your shoulders and lead around your waist
Making way, run in haste
There is no time to taste what you ate
WE should be grateful got a plateful
Fire burns like ice morsels falling fire like rain
Fire descends on high in the shape of a lion
Burn the sacrifice of pride and ride on to Mount Zion
Fire descends from on high in the shape of a lion
Burn the sacrifice of pride and ride on Mount Zion
You should be more subtle
You could keep your hustle
Keep your laughing
Keep your chuckle
Flashing muscle brass knuckle
Bust your bubble gum pop
Take off the muzzle
Hate to ruffle feathers
Breaking Brother's
Struggle through the rubble
Concrete jungle
Brisk and brustle
Slip and shuffle
Stumble into trouble
Spirit rumble in the temple
Mumble nothing
You should be more humble
In the continental call your bluff
Your puffin' smoke is fundamental
In this ocean you're a pebble
ali010west
Sittin on the chair, lazy, high of weed, the sun and this song (L)(L)(L)(L)
77isbetterthan69
I might be hi but I think that song just changed my life
ai irene
dub wise
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