Whether singing the ancient Sanskrit mantras of India, the traditional folk… Read Full Bio ↴Whether singing the ancient Sanskrit mantras of India, the traditional folklore songs of South America, or performing his original works of divine inspiration, Shimshai’s music invokes a sentiment of ancestral devotion and a dedication to higher consciousness. A self-proclaimed seeker of truth, described by many as possessing the voice of an angel, Shimshai is gifted with the innate ability to deliver his message flawlessly in several languages; most profoundly the universal language of Love and Oneness.

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.

Rejoice
Shimshai Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

Said I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

Yes, I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

We are all of creation
All of creation we are
We are all of creation, yeah
All of creation we are

We trotted through all of creation
Trotted through all we are
We trotted through all of creation
Trotted through all we are

I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

Yes, I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

Yes, I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

Yeah

We are the lion of Judah, I say
Conquering lion we are
Yes we are the lion of Judah, I say
Conquering lion we are

Rise up like Jah lion children
Rise up in this here time
Rise up like Jah mighty lion children
Rise up in this here time

Conquering if fit(?) to conquer
Strong like Jah lion we are
Conquering if fit(?) to conquer
Trotted through all that we are

And we are all of creation, yeah
All of creation we are
We trotted through all of creation
Trotted through all we are

And we are the lion of Judah, I say
Conquering lion is I and I and I and I
Rise up like Jah lion children
Rise up in this here time

Conquering if fit(?) to conquer
Conquering if fit(?) to conquer, yes
Conquering if fit(?) to conquer
Strong like Jah lion we are

Conquering if fit(?) to conquer
Conquering if fit(?) to conquer, yes
Conquering if fit(?) to conquer
Trotted through all we are

I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

Said I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

Yes, I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

Yes, I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
Rejoice in the glory of I and I

I and I rejoice in the glory
Of Jah Jah

Overall Meaning

The song "Rejoice" by Shimshai is a powerful expression of gratitude and celebration towards Jah, the Rastafarian term for God. The lyrics present a deep sense of connection with the divine and an understanding of how we are all part of creation. The repetition of "I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah" emphasizes the unity of all beings and our shared spiritual nature.

The verses that speak of "trotting through all of creation" and being the "lion of Judah" reflect the Rastafarian belief in the connection between Africa and the spiritual roots of humanity. The verses also encourage rising up like a powerful lion and conquering any obstacles in our path with strength and determination.

The overall message of the song is one of joy and faith in the divine. The repeated phrase "rejoice in the glory of I and I" emphasizes that we can find a sense of inner peace and joy by recognizing the divine within ourselves and others.

Line by Line Meaning

I and I rejoice in the glory of Jah Jah
I and I celebrate and find joy in the magnificence of God

Rejoice in the glory of I and I
Also, I take pride in and rejoice in my own glory

We are all of creation
All beings, including myself, are part of the universe and are interconnected

All of creation we are
We are all one with the world and nature around us

We trotted through all of creation
We have journeyed through our lives and experiences in this world

Trotted through all we are
These experiences make up who we are

We are the lion of Judah, I say
We are strong and powerful beings like the lion of the tribe of Judah

Conquering lion we are
We are brave and can overcome any obstacle

Rise up like Jah lion children
We should come together and rise up as one, like the lion of God's kingdom

Conquering if fit(?) to conquer
We can be victorious if we are meant to be

Strong like Jah lion we are
We are powerful and can achieve great things