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.
Mother of My Soul
Shimshai Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Soul to set me free
You have given me all that I need to help me see
Mother of love
Lover of my soul
You have given me all that I need to make me whole
Cleansed to let me see
And you have given me all that I need to set me free
Mother of love
Lover of my soul
You have given me all that I need to make me whole
Mother of my soul
Soul to set me free
You have given me all that I need to help me see
Mother of love
Lover of my soul
You have given me all that I need to make me whole
Jaya jagadambe jai jai jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai Maa
Hey Maa Durgaya
Hey Maa Durgaya
Amritanandamaya
Om nama Shivaya
Kali Durgaya
Kali jai jai Maa
Amritanandamaya
Om nama Shivaya
Hey Maa Durgaya
Hey Maa Durgaya
Amritanandamaya
Om nama Shivaya
Kali Durgaya
Kali jai jai Maa
Amritanandamaya
Om nama Shivaya
Jaya jagadambe jai jai jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai Maa
Hey Maa Durgaya
Hey Maa Durgaya
Amritanandamaya
Om nama Shivaya
Kali Durgaya
Kali jai jai Maa
Amritanandamaya
Om nama Shivaya
Hey Maa Durgaya
Hey Maa Durgaya
Amritanandamaya
Om nama Shivaya
Kali Durgaya
Kali jai jai Maa
Amritanandamaya
Om nama Shivaya
Mother of my soul
Soul to set me free
You have given me all that I need to help me see
Mother of love
Lover of my soul
You have given me all that I need to make me whole
Mother of my soul
Cleansed to let me see
That you have given me all that I need to set me free
Mother of love
Lover of my soul
You have given me all that I need to make me whole
Jaya jagadambe jai jai jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai Maa
(Hey Maa)
Jaya jagadambe jai jai jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai Maa
(Maa Maa)
Jaya jagadambe jai jai jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai jai jai Maa
Jaya jagadambe jai jai Maa
The lyrics of the song "Mother of My Soul" by Shimshai express gratitude towards the Divine Feminine, who is being addressed as the "Mother of my soul" and the "Mother of love." The song acknowledges the blessings and support that the Divine Mother has provided to the singer and emphasizes the role of the Divine in guiding and empowering the seeker towards wholeness and freedom.
The repetitive chanting of the mantras "Jaya jagadambe jai jai jai jai Maa" and "Om nama Shivaya" interspersed between the verses adds a devotional and spiritual dimension to the song. The use of the Sanskrit word "Amritanandamaya" which means "full of eternal bliss" reinforces the idea that the spiritual path led by the Divine is one of joy, happiness, and fulfillment.
The song is not only a beautiful tribute to the Divine Feminine but also a powerful devotional anthem that can ignite a sense of deep reverence and devotion towards the Divine in the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Mother of my soul
The singer is addressing a maternal, guiding force in their life that is responsible for their deepest emotions and experiences.
Soul to set me free
The singer is acknowledging the power of this maternal force to free them from emotional or spiritual burdens.
You have given me all that I need to help me see
The singer is expressing gratitude to this maternal force for providing them with the tools to gain insight and clarity.
Mother of love
The artist is using a term of endearment to describe this maternal force as a provider of emotional support and care.
Lover of my soul
The artist highlights the deep emotional connection they feel with this maternal force and the role it plays in shaping their being.
You have given me all that I need to make me whole
The singer is expressing gratitude for the ways in which this maternal force has helped them achieve a sense of wholeness or completeness.
Mother of my soul
Reiteration of the opening line, emphasizing the importance of this maternal force in the singer's life.
Cleansed to let me see
The artist acknowledges the ways in which this maternal force has helped them attain a level of purity or clarity that enables them to see more clearly.
And you have given me all that I need to set me free
The artist expresses gratitude for the ways in which this maternal force has helped them achieve emotional or spiritual freedom.
Jaya jagadambe jai jai jai jai Maa
This is a devotional phrase praising the maternal force, roughly translating to 'Victory to the Mother of the entire universe, hail hail hail!.'
Hey Maa Durgaya
The singer is directly addressing the maternal force, using a name commonly associated with the Hindu goddess Durga.
Amritanandamaya
This phrase translates to 'Blissful Mother,' emphasizing the positive and nurturing qualities of this maternal force.
Om nama Shivaya
This phrase is a Hindu mantra often used to honor the god Shiva, but in this context, it may be used as a gesture of reverence for the divine nature of the maternal force.
Kali Durgaya
The singer is directly invoking Kali, a Hindu goddess often associated with power and transformation, in addition to Durga.
Kali jai jai Maa
This phrase is a devotional praise for Kali, roughly translating to 'Victory to Kali, hail hail Maa!.'
(Hey Maa)
Reiteration of the direct address to the maternal force, emphasizing the importance of this relationship.
(Maa Maa)
Repetition of the term 'Maa,' or mother, as a sign of affection and respect for the maternal force.
Contributed by Alice P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.