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/
Surrender
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To my lady, I've been with her when the summer's coming on
You are the moon on the rise, you are my tide, you are the one
Sing a song of creation and an anthem for the young
My next life
But I take another journey
Surrender
Two eyes make the prize, make the life, I know why
Death cars, stars shining, I fly through the night
With my sight set on the next bed, my life is not set yet
I got no regrets cause to get there I could have take another turn
And I burn another day, and I move like the prince slay the dragons in my way
I be dancing in the world and this till my dying day
I be dancing on the grave of the brave eyed slave that's alive(?)
Surrender
Surrender
Surrender
We run for the mountains, we will run for our lives
See our nations enslaved with no sign
I surrender my vision to your glory
This a story of a silent sky
And the ancient eyes, new baby blues
All brown her eyes
And I surrender to your glory
Surrender
Surrender
Surrender
The lyrics of Matisyahu's "Surrender" are filled with imagery and poetic expressions that convey a sense of spiritual awakening and surrender to a higher power. The opening lines are a juxtaposition of violence with peace and love, as he talks about the threat of danger while at the same time acknowledging the presence of his loved one. He elevates her to a divine status, calling her the moon that guides him and the tide that carries him forward. He then reinforces this idea of creation, singing an anthem for the young and hinting at the idea of rebirth in his next life.
The second verse shifts to a more personal narrative, where Matisyahu talks about his journey, one filled with trials and tribulations that prepared him for the next phase, where he has his sights set on the future. He acknowledges that life is unpredictable, and one might have to take a different turn to reach their destination, but he has no regrets. He compares himself to a prince who slays dragons in his way and dances in the world until his dying day. The chorus emphasizes the idea of surrender, which is the key message of the song.
The final verse is a reflection of the current state of the world, where nations are enslaved, and he surrenders his vision to a higher power. He recognizes the ancient eyes that have seen it all and the new baby blues that represent hope and renewal. The final repetition of the chorus is a call to action, to surrender our fears and doubts and embrace the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
Those finger pointed trigger while I simmer in the sun
As I am basking in the sun, I can see people pointing fingers and causing trouble.
To my lady, I've been with her when the summer's coming on
I have been with my lady during the coming of summer.
You are the moon on the rise, you are my tide, you are the one
You are the one who keeps me grounded and your presence is as important as the tide and the moon.
Sing a song of creation and an anthem for the young
Create a song that celebrates life and the youth.
My next life
Referring to the next phase of life, suggesting a change or rebirth.
But I take another journey
I am ready to embark on another journey.
Surrender
Let go and give in to the will of the universe.
Two eyes make the prize, make the life, I know why
The people we surround ourselves with are the most important to our lives.
Death cars, stars shining, I fly through the night
Despite the darkness and danger, I press on and move forward.
With my sight set on the next bed, my life is not set yet
I have not yet reached my full potential and still have much to accomplish.
I got no regrets cause to get there I could have take another turn
Although I may have taken a different path to get here, I have no regrets.
And I burn another day, and I move like the prince slay the dragons in my way
I tackle each day with the same determination as a prince slaying dragons.
I be dancing in the world and this till my dying day
I will continue dancing through life until my final day.
I be dancing on the grave of the brave eyed slave that's alive(?)
I will not let the struggles and hardships of the past hold me back, and will celebrate those who had the courage to fight for freedom.
We run for the mountains, we will run for our lives
We will flee to the mountains to save our lives.
See our nations enslaved with no sign
Our nations are being held captive with no end in sight.
I surrender my vision to your glory
I give up my own plans for the future in order to praise your greatness.
This a story of a silent sky
This is the tale of a peaceful sky.
And the ancient eyes, new baby blues
This is a story of the eyes of generations, old and new.
All brown her eyes
Her eyes are beautiful with their brown color.
And I surrender to your glory
I give in to your greatness and accept my place in the world.
Surrender
Let go and give in to the will of the universe.
Surrender
Let go and give in to the will of the universe.
Surrender
Let go and give in to the will of the universe.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CURTIS FRASER, DOUGLAS MACDONALD, PETER MITCHELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DIANA RAYO
Surrender
Matisyahu
Esos dedos apuntan al gatillo mientras cocino a fuego lento en el sol
Those finger pointed trigger while I simmer in the sun
Para mi señora, he estado con ella cuando se acerca el verano
To my lady, I've been with her when the summer's coming on
Eres la luna en ascenso, eres mi marea, eres la única
You are the moon on the rise, you are my tide, you are the one
Canta una canción de creación y un himno para los jóvenes.
Sing a song of creation and an anthem for the young
Mi próxima vida
My next life
Pero tomo otro viaje
But I take another journey
Rendirse
Surrender
Rendirse
Surrender
Dos ojos hacen el premio, hacen la vida, sé por qué
Two eyes make the prize, make the life, I know why
Coches de la muerte, estrellas brillando, vuelo a través de la noche
Death cars, stars shining, I fly through the night
Con la vista puesta en la cama de al lado, mi vida aún no está puesta
With my sight set on the next bed, my life is not set yet
No me arrepiento porque para llegar allí podría haber tomado otro turno
I got no regrets cause to get there I could have take another turn
Y ardo otro día, y me muevo como el príncipe mata a los dragones en mi camino
And I burn another day, and I move like the prince slay the dragons in my way
Estaré bailando en el mundo y esto hasta el día de mi muerte
I be dancing in the world and this till my dying day
Estaré bailando sobre la tumba del esclavo de ojos valientes que está vivo (?)
I be dancing on the grave of the brave eyed slave that's alive(?)
Rendirse
Surrender
Rendirse
Surrender
Rendirse
Surrender
Corremos por las montañas, correremos por nuestras vidas
We run for the mountains, we will run for our lives
Ver nuestras naciones esclavizadas sin señal
See our nations enslaved with no sign
Entrego mi visión a tu gloria
I surrender my vision to your glory
Esta es una historia de un cielo silencioso
This a story of a silent sky
Y los ojos antiguos, nuevos baby blues
And the ancient eyes, new baby blues
Todos sus ojos marrones
All brown her eyes
Y me rindo a tu gloria
And I surrender to your glory
Rendirse
Surrender
Rendirse
Surrender
Rendirse
Surrender
BB
I honestly can't believe all the people that watch this and call Matisyahu a sellout. Matisyahu has always written music based on the experiences in the portion of his life it is written in, of course everyone liked the spiritual awakening period which included all his Hasidic stuff. But we all grow older and this new music is a reflection of who he is now. He made "Sunshine" when his kids were born and he made his "Akeda" album (which included this song) after he divorced his wife. He is at a time in his life where he's reflecting on his decisions and who he's become with age. Of course he doesn't feel like praising the heavens or rhyming to a reggae beat. It's okay if you don't like the song but it's a blatant lie to say he's a sellout when he obviously still cares about the music more than the money. Whatever anyone else thinks, I love the passion he very obviously puts into this song and it got me through a hard time in my life.
Anthony Albino
this is an amazing song, I dont know who on earth would think to call him a sell out, as you said, he sings what he is living and feeling.
Kayla Carpenter
This song kept me sane. I grew up with endless drug and alcohol induced violence and abuses. I ended up living in hotels for almost half a year to escape it.
This song was played everyday, multiple times a day.
DawnDid
He's a beautiful blossom like all of us; burgeoning budding opening in courageous artful dodging banality mundane. Nobody is allowed to say that stuff
Barak-Yisrael Bensamuel
@zacmumbles amen
Craig Beasley
Who’s calling him a sellout these bullets burn???
Brittney Krall
Favorite song by Matisyahu. This song always relaxes me when I'm having panic attacks or negative thoughts.
Jack Ward
I don't say this often but this song is Gorgeous.
sheryl hubel
Sure is ❤
duma lun
@Amber Jaime whats funny