In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
You're the son of his majesty
Remember how it used to be
In the light of day it's easy to see
Now it's nighttime, yeah
You had to leave
Separated from the king
Now the water's gushing and you keep trying to swim against the stream
It seems like you're not moving, the many waters gushing you gasp for air
Almost drowning ears ringing, once upon a time we were singing
One day those trees will stand and clap hands
Stream of thought getting caught in the klipa, this place is just a shell, external
Warrior, fighting for your soul
Taken from the world above, and brought down this world below
Warrior, fighting for your soul
Taken from the world above, and brought down to this world below
Re-unite them, re-unite them, return the princess to her king
Said re-unite them, re-united, she's been taken for so long
Re-unite them, re-unite and then she'll be filled with joy
Said, ah, re-unite them, re-united like the days of her youth
Descended to this pit
What's that feeling, I can't get rid of it
I'm so sick, I can't seem to shake it
When one retires at night weeping, joy will come in the morning
You made my mountain stand strong
Warrior, fighting for your soul
Taken from the world above, and brought down this world below
Warrior, fighting for your soul
Taken from the world above, and brought down to this world below
Ancient memory, remember how it used to be
Close your eyes and breathe in
The scent of freedom
Ringing across the sea
Land of milk and honey
One day, we'll wake up from this dream and we'll stop sleeping
Oh, yo, yo, yo, yo and then we'll see clearly, no, no, no
Fighting for your soul
Taken from the world above, and brought down this world below
Remember how it used to be
In the light of day it's easy to see
Now it's nighttime, yeah
You had to leave
Separated from the king
Now the water's gushing and you keep trying to swim against the stream
It seems like you're not moving, the many waters gushing you gasp for air
Almost drowning ears ringing, once upon a time we were singing
One day those trees will stand and clap hands
Stream of thought getting caught in the klipa, this place is just a shell, external
Warrior, fighting for your soul
Taken from the world above, and brought down this world below
Warrior, fighting for your soul
Taken from the world above, and brought down to this world below
Re-unite them, re-unite them, return the princess to her king
Said re-unite them, re-united, she's been taken for so long
Re-unite them, re-unite and then she'll be filled with joy
Said, ah, re-unite them, re-united like the days of her youth
Descended to this pit
What's that feeling, I can't get rid of it
I'm so sick, I can't seem to shake it
When one retires at night weeping, joy will come in the morning
You made my mountain stand strong
Warrior, fighting for your soul
Taken from the world above, and brought down this world below
Warrior, fighting for your soul
Taken from the world above, and brought down to this world below
Ancient memory, remember how it used to be
Close your eyes and breathe in
The scent of freedom
Ringing across the sea
Land of milk and honey
One day, we'll wake up from this dream and we'll stop sleeping
Oh, yo, yo, yo, yo and then we'll see clearly, no, no, no
Fighting for your soul
Taken from the world above, and brought down this world below
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In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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One of my favorite songs ever. I can't wait to see him live on February 15th!
Why would it be talking about Jesus? Matisyahu is a Hassidic Jew. I see what you're saying but I don't think that that is the song's intended meaning.
I believe what Matisyahu means in this song is that we are all part of G-d's design for the world and that we are all warriors in the world, sent to transform darkness into light for His glory.
When he says "Your the son of his majesty," I think he's basically saying that we are all God's children.
I'm almost wondering if Valentinegirl was joking about the Jesus interpretation. As jt103 said, Matisyahu is Jewish. Knowing that, her interpretation becomes kind of ironic.
I think he's talking to directly to the listener, about our relationship with God.
In this world of negativity, having faith becomes a struggle. He's singing to people who've almost lost their faith, he's telling them to stay strong.
We are the warriors, fighting for our souls.
If you listen to the version on Live at Stubb's Matisyahu explains it somewhat. I'll quote.
"Hasidics explains that everything in this world, everything in this life has an inner essence, and inner soul… y'know... and when it started out, before the soul was reincarnated into this life, into this body and time and place that we find ourselves, it was basking above in the rays of godliness y'know... and it comes into this world for one reason, that it should transform the darkness into light. It should take the darkness of this world and make it light"
I think he might be talking about Moses, I mean Matisyahu is a Jew. And the quote
"Now the water's rushing and you keep trying to swim against the stream And it seems, like your not moving the many water's gushing you gasp for air Almost drowning ears ringing, once upon a time we were singing"
may have to do when Moses was in the Nile when he was a baby, but im not really sure, it's just my guess. I could be wrong.
i think jt is right on with this one
i think the easiest way to understand this song is to look at it not from a religious stand point but solely a spiritual one, to me its about the struggles we as humans have every day here on earth and about one day "Now the water's rushing and you keep trying to swim against the stream And it seems, like your not moving the many water's gushing you gasp for air Almost drowning ears ringing, once upon a time we were singing" that quote to me is about falling into all the evils of this world and not being able to rise above it all
"egos swell that one will burn ya" is evidence to me that he is talking about the destruction of the ego to bring about a higher consciousness to form a new world order.
"egos swell that one will burn ya" is evidence to me that he is talking about the destruction of the ego to bring about a higher consciousness to form a new world order.
The jam at the end on "Live at Stubbs" is extremely fucking awesome. And I don't think it should be taken solely as a religious meaning. Although it definitely does make metaphorical references for religion, it's not all about religion. Although Matisyahu definitely adds a religious aspect to it, since some of us aren't religious, we need to see the spiritual meaning. That we distinctly as humans, need to view things on a more worldly basis, we need to just bask in the goodness that this earth has to offer us, instead of making judgments, prejudices, and basing this world off evil. The fact that the Yetzer Hara or the inclination to do evil, by violating the will of God, is something that all humans do. Whether or not it's by the "will of God", there are things the Bible states that all humans should be in agreement with. People base their lives completely off their egos, which is something Matisyahu believes we shouldn't have. Basically, this song is all about becoming one with yourself, and about being able to live a spiritual and true life, devoid of evil, which Matisyahu feels many people do not live.. Something like that.