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.
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Fire Of Heaven On An Alter Of Earth
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Burn the sacrifice of pride and ride on to Mount Zion
Fire descends on high in the shape of a lion
Burn the sacrifice of pride and ride on to Mount Zion
Rub me the wrong way, taking the highway
Rubbing sticks together but your fire's man-made
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 ooh and aah
But they never maintain
Fires burning
Flames are dancing
Don't burn the house down
Heavenly fire only resides on an altar made from the ground
Fire descends from on high in the shape of a lion
Burn the sacrifice of pride and ride on to Mount Zion
Fire descends on high in the shape of a lion
Burn the sacrifice of pride and ride on to 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 you something
Take what you get, 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
Heavenly fire only resides on an altar made from the ground
Backpacks's getting heavy, moving at a steady pace
Carryin' 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 on high in the shape of a lion
Burn the sacrifice of pride and ride on to Mount Zion
In "Fire Of Heaven On An Alter Of Earth," Matisyahu expresses the importance of humility and sacrifice as a means of reaching Mount Zion, a symbol of spiritual enlightenment. The lyrics depict a contrast between false pride and genuine humility, as a fire that is made by humans versus one that is bestowed from heaven. The line "burn the sacrifice of pride" calls for renunciation of ego and self-importance in order to create an altar of earth that will invite the descent of the heavenly fire, which is represented by a lion. This symbol suggests both power and divine spirit, emphasizing the need for a higher power.
The song also explores the idea of duality, with the line "one pair of eyes but see two different things." This highlights the importance of perspective, as it affects how one interprets and responds to life experiences. Additionally, Matisyahu touches on the idea of materialism and how it can be a form of false pride, as the rich man has nothing but the poor man is content with it all. Overall, the lyrics suggest that spiritual enlightenment and the acquisition of true wealth lie in cultivating an attitude of gratitude, humility, and sacrifice.
Line by Line Meaning
Fire descends on high in the shape of a lion
Powerful flames from above take on the form of a mighty lion
Burn the sacrifice of pride and ride on to Mount Zion
Get rid of your selfishness and make the journey to a higher spiritual realm
Rub me the wrong way, taking the highway
You are easily bothered and always looking for shortcuts
Rubbing sticks together but your fire's man-made
You put in effort to create something, but it lacks true passion and authenticity
Capitalize on hot air, soar like an airplane
You take advantage of trends and hype to skyrocket to success
Yearn to rise in the sky quick high like cocaine
You crave an instant and intense high, like a drug, without putting in the necessary work or patience
False pride is suicide but you've got nothing to gain
Being overly prideful will only lead to your downfall and you're not even benefiting from it
Babylon's buildings raise like flames
The wealth and power of Babylon grows, but it’s short-lived
Drowning in their champagne
People are living lavishly and indulging in excess, but it’s not making them truly happy
Explosion pulled the pin in the hand grenade
Your actions have led to a dangerous and destructive situation
Soul stain blowing up
A negative energy from within is causing problems
In your own domain
You're causing chaos and harm in your own environment
Fire crackers ooh and aah
People are easily entertained by flashy things, but it doesn't last long
But they never maintain
These things don’t have any lasting or meaningful impact
Fires burning
Flames are alive and active
Flames are dancing
The fire is moving and grooving, with a life of its own
Don't burn the house down
Don't cause destruction or harm to your own home or environment
Heavenly fire only resides on an altar made from the ground
A true spiritual connection with a higher power can only be found in humble and grounded places
One pair of eyes
Two people can be looking at the same thing
But see two different things
But interpret and perceive it completely differently
One person cries but the other one sings
People can react differently to the same situation, either in sorrow or joy
You walk around like everybody owes you something
You have a sense of entitlement and expect things to be handed to you
Take what you get, thank God for all that life brings
Be grateful for what you have, even if it's not exactly what you expected or desired
The poor man has it all but not content with anything
Someone with very little material possessions can still feel fulfilled in life
While the rich man's hands are empty but he's sitting like a king
Someone with great power and wealth can still feel empty and unsatisfied
Backpack's getting heavy, moving at a steady pace
You're carrying a burden, but still making progress
Carrying bricks on your shoulders and lead around your waist
You're weighed down by heavy emotions and commitments
Making way, run in haste
Keep moving forward, even if it means going quickly
There is no time to taste what you ate
You don't have time to appreciate what you have, you're always moving on to the next thing
We should be grateful, got a plateful
We should appreciate what we have, even if it's not much
Fire burns like ice morsels falling fire like rain
Fire can be both destructive and beautiful
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: JOSHUA WERNER, MATTHEW MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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on One Day (New Album Version)
queenie abuan
Edwel B Abuan
on One Day (New Album Version)
queenie abuan
Bryan Valero Gutierrez
on Indestructible
nice ang ganda talaga ng mga kanta ni MATISYAHU sound trip pa more