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.
Minha Mãe Oxumaré
Shimshai Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Na Umbanda e no Candomblé
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Se minha mãe e Oxum
Na Umbanda e no Candomblé
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Ela vem beirando o rio
Colhendo lirios pra nos oferta
Mamãe Oxum, ayeyeô
Mamãe Oxum, Orixa
Desce venha nos abençoar
Mamãe Oxum, ayeyeô
Mamãe Oxum, Orixa
Desce venha nos abençoar
Se minha mãe e Oxum
Na Umbanda e no Candomblé
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Se minha mãe e Oxum
Na Umbanda e no Candomblé
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Ela vem beirando o rio
Colhendo lirios pra nos oferta
Mamãe Oxum, ayeyeô
Mamãe Oxum, Orixa
Desce venha nos abençoar
Mamãe Oxum, ayeyeô
Mamãe Oxum, Orixa
Desce venha nos abençoar
Se minha mãe e Oxum
Na Umbanda e no Candomblé
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
The song Minha Mãe Oxumaré is a tribute to the goddess Oxum, who is venerated in both Umbanda and Candomblé. The lyrics express the singer's deep reverence and love for his mother and the powerful deity. The repetition of the word Ayeyeô, which is a Yoruba chant, sets a spiritual tone to the song that invokes the powers of the goddess. The verse "Ela vem beirando o rio, Colhendo lirios pra nos oferta" means "She comes along the river, Collecting lilies to offer us," which is a symbol of the beauty and abundance that Oxum brings.
The song captures the essence of the Afro-Brazilian culture and religion, which blends African and Brazilian traditions. The lyrics are filled with references to the Yoruba language, which is used in the rituals of Candomblé and Umbanda. The word Orixa refers to the deities of the Yoruba religion, who are venerated in the Afro-Brazilian religions.
Overall, this song is a powerful ode to the divinity of Oxum and the deep spirituality that permeates the Afro-Brazilian culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Se minha mãe e Oxum
Na Umbanda e no Candomblé
If my mother is the goddess Oxum
In the religious practices of Umbanda and Candomblé
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Chanting and calling upon the name of my mother Oxumare
Ela vem beirando o rio
Colhendo lirios pra nos oferta
She comes along the river
Gathering lilies to offer us
Mamãe Oxum, ayeyeô
Mamãe Oxum, Orixa
Desce venha nos abençoar
Mother Oxum, divine entity
Please come and bless us
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Chanting and calling upon the name of my mother Oxumare
Se minha mãe e Oxum
Na Umbanda e no Candomblé
If my mother is the goddess Oxum
In the religious practices of Umbanda and Candomblé
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Chanting and calling upon the name of my mother Oxumare
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Chanting and calling upon the name of my mother Oxumare
Ela vem beirando o rio
Colhendo lirios pra nos oferta
She comes along the river
Gathering lilies to offer us
Mamãe Oxum, ayeyeô
Mamãe Oxum, Orixa
Desce venha nos abençoar
Mother Oxum, divine entity
Please come and bless us
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Chanting and calling upon the name of my mother Oxumare
Se minha mãe e Oxum
Na Umbanda e no Candomblé
If my mother is the goddess Oxum
In the religious practices of Umbanda and Candomblé
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Chanting and calling upon the name of my mother Oxumare
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Chanting and calling upon the name of my mother Oxumare
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Chanting and calling upon the name of my mother Oxumare
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Ayeyeô, ayeyeô
Minha mãe Oxumare
Chanting and calling upon the name of my mother Oxumare
Writer(s): Traditional
Contributed by Isaiah A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.