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/
Warrior
Matisyahu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Remember how it used to be
In the light of day it's easy to see
Now it's nighttime, yeah
You had to leave
Separated from the king
Now the water's gushing and you keep trying to swim against the stream
Almost drowning ears ringing, once upon a time we were singing
One day those trees will stand and clap hands
Stream of thought getting caught in the klipa, this place is just a shell, external
Warrior, fighting for your soul
Taken from the world above, and brought down this world below
Warrior, fighting for your soul
Taken from the world above, and brought down to this world below
Re-unite them, re-unite them, return the princess to her king
Said re-unite them, re-united, she's been taken for so long
Re-unite them, re-unite and then she'll be filled with joy
Said, ah, re-unite them, re-united like the days of her youth
Descended to this pit
What's that feeling, I can't get rid of it
I'm so sick, I can't seem to shake it
When one retires at night weeping, joy will come in the morning
You made my mountain stand strong
Warrior, fighting for your soul
Taken from the world above, and brought down this world below
Warrior, fighting for your soul
Taken from the world above, and brought down to this world below
Ancient memory, remember how it used to be
Close your eyes and breathe in
The scent of freedom
Ringing across the sea
Land of milk and honey
One day, we'll wake up from this dream and we'll stop sleeping
Oh, yo, yo, yo, yo and then we'll see clearly, no, no, no
Fighting for your soul
Taken from the world above, and brought down this world below
The song Warrior by Matisyahu tells the story of a separation between a king and his son, who is forced to leave his home and navigate the difficult world on his own. The lyrics speak to the struggle of remaining true to oneself in the face of adversity, and the importance of fighting for one's own soul. The track describes a warrior who is determined to reunite the princess with her king and return order to their kingdom.
The opening lines of the song establish a regal past and a clear downfall, "You're the son of his majesty, remember how it used to be". The verses describe the warrior's journey, which seems to be fraught with difficulty - struggling to swim against the stream and feeling trapped within an external shell. Despite this, the chorus reinforces the warrior's importance and the need to keep fighting: "Warrior, fighting for your soul, taken from the world above, and brought down this world below."
The bridge speaks of a longing for a state of blissful freedom, symbolized by the "land of milk and honey", and the final chorus urges the listener to keep fighting and remember the beauty of what's been lost, making it clear that the soul of the warrior is at stake.
Line by Line Meaning
You're the son of his majesty
You were once royalty, now separated from your father
Remember how it used to be
Reflecting on past memories
In the light of day it's easy to see
Things are clearer in daylight
Now it's nighttime, yeah
It's currently a darker time in life
You had to leave
You were forced to leave your former life behind
Separated from the king
You are no longer with your father the king
Now the water's gushing and you keep trying to swim against the stream
You're struggling to move forward despite external difficulties
It seems like you're not moving, the many waters gushing you gasp for air
Despite your best efforts, you feel stuck and unable to make progress
Almost drowning ears ringing, once upon a time we were singing
You feel like you're barely surviving, longing for the past
One day those trees will stand and clap hands
Hoping for a time of rejoicing after a period of struggle
Stream of thought getting caught in the klipa, this place is just a shell, external
Your thoughts can become trapped in negative thinking, recognizing the impermanence of this physical world
Warrior, fighting for your soul
You are battling to protect your spirit
Taken from the world above, and brought down this world below
You were once in a higher realm, but are now living in a lower world
Re-unite them, re-unite them, return the princess to her king
A desire to restore balance and harmony, reunite parts of your life
Said re-unite them, re-united, she's been taken for so long
Longing for a resolution, to bring back something that's been lost for a while
Re-unite them, re-unite and then she'll be filled with joy
Happiness and peace will come once balance is restored
Said, ah, re-unite them, re-united like the days of her youth
Longing to return to a time of innocence and purity
Descended to this pit
Falling into a low place
What's that feeling, I can't get rid of it
A negative emotion that won't go away
I'm so sick, I can't seem to shake it
Feeling overwhelmed and unable to recover
When one retires at night weeping, joy will come in the morning
Hoping for a brighter future after a difficult time
You made my mountain stand strong
Grateful for someone who has helped support and uplift you
Ancient memory, remember how it used to be
Reminiscing about an old memory
Close your eyes and breathe in
Taking a moment to be present and calm
The scent of freedom
A feeling of freedom that can be sensed
Ringing across the sea
The impact of something can be felt far away
Land of milk and honey
A place of abundance and prosperity
One day, we'll wake up from this dream and we'll stop sleeping
Hoping for a moment of awakening and realization
Oh, yo, yo, yo, yo and then we'll see clearly, no, no, no
Looking forward to a time of clarity and understanding
Fighting for your soul
A continued fight to protect and nurture the essence of who you are
Taken from the world above, and brought down this world below
A reminder of the spiritual aspect of life that can be lost in the physical world
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Matthew Miller, Joshua Werner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@triciasalazar2001
Feel like the world don't love you
They only want to push you away
Some days people don't see you
You feel like you're in the way
Today you feel, as if everyone hates
Pointing their fingers, looking at your mistakes
You do good, they want great
No matter what you give they stilll want to take
Give your love and they throw it back
You give your heart they go on attack
When there's nothing left for you
Only thing that you can do, say
Today, today, live like you wanna
Let yesterday burn and throw it in a fire, in a fire, in a fire
Fight like a warrior
Today, today, live like you wanna
Let yesterday burn and throw it in a fire, in a fire, in a fire
Live like a warrior
There some things you should let go, there only gonna pull you down
Just like weight on your shoulder they are only gonna make you drown
We all swing high, we all swing low
We all got secrets people don't know
We all got dreams we can't let go
We want to brave, don't be afraid
Noo
Today, today, live like you wanna
Let yesterday burn and throw it in a fire, in a fire, in a fire
Fight like a warrior
Today, today, live like you wanna
Let yesterday burn and throw it in a fire, in a fire, in a fire
Live like a warrior
Your heart is too heavy from things you carry a long time
Been up you been down, tired and you don't know why
But you're never gonna go back, you only live one life
Let go, let go, let goooo
Let go, let go, let goooo
Today, today, live like you wanna
Let yesterday burn and throw it in a fire, in a fire, in a fire
Live like a warrior
Today, today, live like you wanna
Let yesterday burn and throw it in a fire, in a fire, in a fire
Live like a warrior
Today, today, live like you wanna
Let yesterday burn and throw it in a fire, in a fire, in a fire
Fight like a warrior
Today, today, live like you wanna
Let yesterday burn and throw it in a fire, in a fire, in a fire
Live like a warrior
@user-fn6be2tb6u
Who's listening in 2024❤️
👇
@GabrielRevert
I do ❤
@user-bz8hg4ui6z
I've been addicted to it since two weeks ago
@ashanims24
Me
@Samjacob82828
me
@megacane
I am listening to it still even after all the years that have passed... 💙
@devinsanmiguel7771
How about 2020? Any warriors 👍.
Update: made it through 2020 that’s what warriors do. Now who’s ready for 2021!
“Calling all warriors”.
LIVE LIKE A WARRIOR ! 2022 update.
You all have done well my fellow warrior brother’s and sister’s. The fight isn’t over, but rather just beginning. I ask that you all stand with me, for 2023 will be tough but together we will persevere. WARRIOR’S WHO’S WITH ME !
Alright! To all my warrior brothers and sisters, 2024 is here. It will be tough Even questionable, but together we will come out victorious!
Warrior’s fight for Justice!
@user-ry8zk9gc4z
+1
@controller2550
Me
@talusdistrect5041
ME!!!