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.
Communion
Shimshai Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the coming of night I join my Father
With the outgoing of evening & morning I shall breathe their law
& I will not interrupt these communions until the end of time
No I will not interrupt these communions until the end of time
Oh that my words were graven with an iron pen on the rock forever
& I know that my Creator liveth & He shall stand at the edge of time apon the earth & the stars
& Though worms may destroy this body, yet shall I see Jah
Yeah though worms may destroy this body, yet shall I see Jah
For shall I see Jah (see Jah) until the end of time
& Shall I love Jah (love Jah) until the end of time
& Shall I know Jah (know Jah) until the end of time
& Shall I seek Jah (seek Jah) so Jah I shall find
Oh that my words were graven with an iron pen on the rock forever
& I know that my Creator liveth & He shall stand at the edge of time apon the earth & the stars
Yes I know that my Creator liveth & She shall stand at the edge of time apon the earth & the stars
The earth & the stars, apon the earth and the stars, the earth & the stars, apon the earth & the stars
Mercy & truth shall be met together
Righteousness and peace shall kiss each other
Truth shall spring out of the earth
& Glory shall dwell in our land
For I know that my Creator liveth and he shall stand at the edge of time apon the earth & the stars
Yes I know my my Creator liveth & She shall stand at the edge of time apon the earth & the stars
& With the outgoing of evening and morning I shall breathe their law
& though worms may destroy this body, yet shall I see Jah
Yet shall I see Jah (see Jah) yes shall I see Jah
& shall I love Jah (love Jah) yes shall I love Jah
& shall I know Jah (know Jah) yes shall I know Jah
& shall I seek Jah (seek Jah) so shall I find Jah
Yet shall I seek Jah Rastafari, you are I salvation, you help I realize
The love surrounding us all, in every situation here with I and I
The song "Communion" by Shimshai is a beautiful blend of spiritual lyrics and soulful music that aims to promote unity and oneness with the divine. The opening lyrics describe the artist's reverence for the natural world and the primal connection he has with it. He feels a deep communion with his mother and father, which indicates his connection with the feminine and masculine aspects of the universe. He vows not to interrupt these communions until the end of time, which suggests his commitment to staying true to his spiritual path.
The second verse speaks of the artist's faith in his Creator, who is referred to as both He and She. This suggests that the divine is not bound by gender and is all-encompassing. He is sure that his Creator will stand at the edge of time upon the earth and the stars, suggesting that the divine is present everywhere and in everything. The artist is not afraid of death, as he knows that even if his body decays and is consumed by worms, he will still see Jah – which means God in Rastafarianism.
The final verse speaks of the unity of mercy, truth, righteousness and peace. The artist believes that if we strive towards these qualities, then the divine will reward us with glory and truth will spring out of the earth. The song ends with the artist reaffirming his faith in Jah, and his commitment to seek and find the divine in every situation he encounters.
Line by Line Meaning
With the coming of day I embrace my Mother
At the start of each new day, I connect with the nurturing and compassionate energy of the feminine divine.
With the coming of night I join my Father
At the end of each day, I connect with the protective and assertive energy of the masculine divine.
With the outgoing of evening & morning I shall breathe their law
Throughout the day and night, I will live in accordance with the teachings and principles of the divine energies.
& I will not interrupt these communions until the end of time
I am committed to maintaining this connection with the divine energies for eternity, without allowing anything to disrupt it.
Oh that my words were graven with an iron pen on the rock forever
I wish my message and teachings could be permanently etched into the minds and hearts of all people for all time.
& I know that my Creator liveth & He shall stand at the edge of time apon the earth & the stars
I have faith that my Creator exists and will always be present, even at the end of time, in both material and celestial realms.
Yes I know that my Creator liveth & She shall stand at the edge of time apon the earth & the stars
My Creator is both masculine and feminine, and will always be present at the end of time in both material and celestial realms.
& Though worms may destroy this body, yet shall I see Jah
Even if my physical body is destroyed, I will still spiritually experience the divine presence.
For shall I see Jah (see Jah) until the end of time
I will always have access to the divine presence throughout eternity.
& Shall I love Jah (love Jah) until the end of time
I will continuously express love towards the divine throughout eternity.
& Shall I know Jah (know Jah) until the end of time
My understanding and awareness of the divine will deepen and expand throughout eternity.
& Shall I seek Jah (seek Jah) so Jah I shall find
I will constantly seek a deeper connection with the divine and will always find it.
The earth & the stars, apon the earth and the stars, the earth & the stars, apon the earth & the stars
The divine is omnipresent, existing both on earth and in the celestial realm.
Mercy & truth shall be met together
The divine embodies both compassion and honesty, which are united in harmony.
Righteousness and peace shall kiss each other
The divine embodies both justice and tranquility, which are united in harmony.
Truth shall spring out of the earth
The divine is revealed through the natural world and embodied in all living beings.
& Glory shall dwell in our land
With a deep connection to the divine, our world will be filled with beauty and splendor.
& With the outgoing of evening and morning I shall breathe their law
The teachings and principles of the divine will guide my actions throughout the day and night.
Yet shall I see Jah (see Jah) yes shall I see Jah
I believe that I will always be spiritually connected to the divine presence, even after death.
& shall I love Jah (love Jah) yes shall I love Jah
I am committed to expressing love towards the divine for all eternity.
& shall I know Jah (know Jah) yes shall I know Jah
I am committed to continuously expanding my understanding and awareness of the divine throughout eternity.
& shall I seek Jah (seek Jah) so shall I find Jah
I am committed to constantly seeking a deeper connection with the divine, which I know I will always find.
Contributed by Isabella D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.