Surrounded by music from birth and formally trained on piano in his native state of Washington, today Shimshai performs effortlessly on guitar, sitar, flute, and a variety of woodwinds. He plays many of the instruments on his self-composed and self-produced albums, ‘I sense your Presence’ (2001), ‘Toward the One’ (2003/2006), and ‘Live on Maui’ (2003/2006) all which have been highly revered by the worldwide spiritual community. His collaboration with fellow artist Tina Malia, ‘Jaya Bhagavan’ (2004), has also been met with tremendous success, being signed to the independent record label Spirit Voyage in 2005, and his most recent release, ‘Deliverance’ (2006), showcases his abilities as a solo performer. He continues to offer his talents to various studio projects, including current collaborations with traditional healers and several undertakings with indigenous communities throughout south and Latin America.
Whether playing at large festivals, yoga studios, or spiritual retreats, Shimshai’s live performances throughout the Hawaiian Islands, Europe, Australia, Mexico and The Americas have helped to create a devoted and ever-growing global fan base. His unique blend of reggae, jazz, kirtan, and folk, infused with a worldbeat influence, provides a diverse palette of musical expression and attracts a wide range of listeners. Performing solo or with his group, The Natural MystiquEnsemble, which features percussion, guitar accompaniment, and harmony vocals, Shimshai’s energy always provides a sacred, intimate, heart-opening space for all who are present. Along the way, Shimshai has had the honor of opening for and sharing the stage with such luminaries as Michael Franti, David Grisman, Mickey Hart, Jai Uttal, Ram Dass, Deepak Chopra, Bhagavan Das, Dezarie & members of midnite, jah levi, Hamsa Lila, Sasha Butterfly, and many other gifted musicians and visionaries.
Better Way
Shimshai Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How does it make you feel?
This drama that is happening
Do you think that it is real?
Or do you feel, there's got to be a better way?
I-i-i-i
I-i-i
I-i-i-i
I-i-i
I-i-i-i
Let go, let it flow
Within and without you
For Jah love is about to change your world, yeah
Nothing lasts forever
Except forever
And I am forever one with Jah
I-i-i-i
I-i-i
I-i-i-i
I-i-i-i
I-i-i
I-i-i-i
Yeah
Come sip a chalice with I, a rastafari
Bless I and I with a sip from the cup
Yeah
I and I live for Jah
Everyday unto Jah
The fruit of our world we shall consecrate
Come sit and reason with I, a rastafari
Bless I and I
Oh angel of wisdom
I and I live for Jah
Everyday unto Jah
The fruit of our world we shall consecrate
Chant down our Babylon kingdom
Chant down our Babylon walls
Chant down our Babylon walls 'til Babylon falls
We're kicking down, fall
Chant down our Babylon kingdom
Chant down our Babylon walls
Chant down our Babylon walls 'til Babylon falls
Jah kingdom rules all
Jah kingdom rules all, yeah
Jah kingdom rules all
Jah kingdom rules all, yeah
We're kicking down, fall
Say look to the Truth in the writing
The things that you do and your works will be justified
To the workers of lust, greed, and power
Remember Babylon walls could fall in one hour
Say look to the Truth in the writing
The things that you do and your works will be justified
To the workers of lust, greed, and power
Remember Babylon walls could fall in one hour
I-i-i-i
I-i-i
I-i-i-i
I-i-i-i
I-i-i
I-i-i-i
Let go, let it grow
Surround all around you
For Jah love is about to change your world
Nothing lasts for ever
Except forever
And I and I am forever one with Jah
I-i-i-i
I-i-i
I-i-i-i
I-i-i-i
I-i-i
I-i-i-i
The lyrics of Shimshai's song "Better Way" explore the current state of the world and ask the listener to reflect on how it makes them feel. The opening lines question the reality of the drama happening and if there's a better way. The repeated phrase "I-i-i" creates a haunting sense of uncertainty and confusion, perhaps mirroring the chaos of the world that Shimshai is referencing. However, the chorus offers hope and encourages the listener to let go and let love flow, for Jah (a Rastafarian term for God) love is about to change the world.
The second verse brings in Rastafarian themes with the invitation to "sip a chalice" and "live for Jah". Shimshai's faith is clearly important to him and he believes that consecrating the "fruit of our world" to Jah is the way to live every day. The repeated line "chant down our Babylon walls" is a clear reference to the biblical story of the fall of Babylon, and could be interpreted as a call to overthrow systems of oppression and greed.
Overall, the lyrics of "Better Way" offer a powerful message of hope and faith in the face of a confusing and chaotic world. The Rastafarian references may not be familiar to all listeners, but the overarching theme of love and the belief in a better way is universal.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you see what is happening?
Do you understand the events taking place?
How does it make you feel?
What emotions does it provoke within you?
This drama that is happening
Referring to the ongoing events
Do you think that it is real?
Is it a genuine occurrence?
Or do you feel, there's got to be a better way?
Is there a preferable alternative to this situation?
Let go, let it flow
Relax and allow events to unfold naturally
Within and without you
Internally and externally
For Jah love is about to change your world, yeah
Divine love will transform your life
Nothing lasts forever
All things are transient
Except forever
The eternal never ends
And I am forever one with Jah
The singer identifies with the divine
Come sip a chalice with I, a rastafari
Share a cup with the artist, who follows the Rastafarian faith
Bless I and I with a sip from the cup
Requesting a blessing from higher powers
I and I live for Jah
The artist's life is devoted to the divine
Everyday unto Jah
Daily devotion to the divine
The fruit of our world we shall consecrate
The good in the world should be honored and sanctified
Come sit and reason with I, a rastafari
Share in conversation with the artist, who follows the Rastafarian faith
Oh angel of wisdom
Addressing higher powers for guidance
Chant down our Babylon kingdom
Challenge oppressive systems and structures
Chant down our Babylon walls
Dismantle barriers to progress
Chant down our Babylon walls 'til Babylon falls
Persist until real change is achieved
We're kicking down, fall
Taking action to bring about change
Jah kingdom rules all
The divine reigns over all
Say look to the Truth in the writing
Consult sacred texts for guidance
The things that you do and your works will be justified
Actions will have consequences
To the workers of lust, greed, and power
Addressing those motivated by negative forces
Remember Babylon walls could fall in one hour
Oppressive systems can be overcome quickly
Let go, let it grow
Surrender to growth and progress naturally
Surround all around you
Encompassing all aspects of life
For Jah love is about to change your world
Divine love will transform your life
I and I am forever one with Jah
The artist identifies with the divine
Contributed by Kennedy P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Trist mas
A song for Now times ! 💛
Fan Tech
Can you see what is happening, how does it make you feel?
This drama that is happening, do you think it is real?
Or do you feel…theres got to be a better way
I, I, I…
Let go let it flow, within and without you, for Jah love is about to, change your world
Nothing lasts forever, except forever, and I am forever one with Jah
I, I, I…
Come sip chalice with Iya Rastafari bless I and I with a sip from the cup yeah
I and I live for Jah every day unto Jah, the fruit of our work we shall consecrate
Come sit and reason with Iya Rastafari bless I and I hola angel of wisdom
I and I live for Jah every day unto Jah, the fruit of our work we shall consecrate
Chant down Babylon kingdom, chant down Babylon walls
Chant down Babylon walls, till Babylon falls, wicked kingdom fall
Chant down Babylon kingdom, chant down Babylon walls
Chant down Babylon walls, till Babylon falls, Jah kingdom rules all
Jah kingdom rules all yeah, Jah kingdom rules all
Jah kingdom rules all yeah, wicked kingdom fall
Say look to the truth & the right in the things that you do and your work will be justified
To the seekers of lust, greed and power, remember Babylon walls could fall in one hour
Look to the truth & the right in the things that you do and your work will be justified
To the seekers of lust, greed, and power, remember Babylon walls could fall in one hour
I, I, I…
Let go let it grow, surround all around you, for Jah love is about to, change your world
Nothing lasts forever, except forever, and I am forever one with Jah
I, I, I…
¿Puede ver lo que está sucediendo, ¿cómo te hace sentir?
Este drama que está sucediendo, ¿piensa que es real?
¿O sientes ... theres consiguieron ser una manera mejor
Yo, yo, yo ...
Dejar ir dejar que fluya, dentro y fuera de ti, por el amor de Jah está a punto, cambiar su mundo
Nada dura para siempre, salvo para siempre, y yo soy siempre uno con Jah
Yo, yo, yo ...
Ven cáliz SIP con Iya Rastafari bendiga I y I con un sorbo de la copa, sÃ
Yo y Yo vivo para Jah todos los dÃas a Jah, el fruto de nuestro trabajo que consagrará
Vamos sentarse y razonar con Iya Rastafari bendiga I y I HOLA ángel de la sabidurÃa
Yo y Yo vivo para Jah todos los dÃas a Jah, el fruto de nuestro trabajo que consagrará
Cantar abajo reino de Babilonia, cantar las paredes de Babylon
Cantar las paredes de Babylon, hasta la caÃda de Babilonia, caÃda reino malvados
Cantar abajo reino de Babilonia, cantar las paredes de Babylon
Cantar las paredes de Babylon, hasta la caÃda de Babilonia, Jah reino gobierna todo
reino domina todo Jah sÃ, Jah reino gobierna todas las
reino domina todo Jah sÃ, reino malvado caÃda
Decir mirar hacia la verdad y el derecho de las cosas que haces y será justificado su trabajo
Para los buscadores de la lujuria, la avaricia y el poder, recuerde paredes Babylon podrÃan caer en una hora
Mira a la verdad y la derecha en las cosas que haces y se justificará su trabajo
Para los solicitantes de la lujuria, la codicia y el poder, recordar paredes Babylon podrÃan caer en una hora
Yo, yo, yo ...
Let Go se deja crecer, rodean a su alrededor, por el amor de Jah está a punto, cambiar su mundo
Nada dura para siempre, salvo para siempre, y yo soy siempre uno con Jah
Yo, yo, yo ...
Luana Hervier
This drama that is happening, do you think is real?... love it
Ahamenata Amir Or
Shalom sahalom shalom dear beloved!. <3:
Always Maxing
Very nice :-)
slawko jarowoy
one love from slovakia :)
Bryn Packer
<3