Matisyahu’s “Reservoir” (First leak off Akeda)
From Matisyahu: “Ladies and gents, here is the first track I want to share with you from my new record, “Akeda”. The new record incorporates many styles and had me exploring with musicians I worked with in the early years of my career as well as my band Dub Trio…there is something for everyone. This track is called “Reservoir”–I put together a band that included my long time soul brothers Aaron Dugan on guitar and Rob Marscher on keys, as well as Stu Brooks of Dub Trio on bass and renowned drummer Mark Guiliana. The original riff, written by Aaron, was expounded upon in a series of improvisational jams. It has a circular feel and inspired the lyrics that came. I wanted this to be the very first song you guys heard–it is my thank you to Ha Kodesh Baruch Hu (the holy blessed one) for life and for the ability to make another record. In Judaism, we say the blessing Shehecheyanu when we reach a milestone or holiday–basically a thanks for allowing me to reach this occasion. This is my prayer, Shehecheyanu. I also address the pain I felt and continue to feel from my “brothers” who are so quick to throw me under the bus because of my changes. As always, I make many references to the fathers, mothers and stories of the Old Testament–only here, for the first time, I truly internalize and personalize these stories, making them less abstract and deeply personal. The name reservoir refers to the reservoir in Central Park that I have found myself randomly walking around at different stages in my life. The realization that I have never completed the whole circle represents my desire for closure and completeness, which seems to be something I am always chasing. I hope you enjoy. “This is David’s heart, a rainbow coloured cry from the end to the start.”
LYRICS:
I just wanna talk to you
This is for the one
You kept me alive
And so I thank you
Moses is on his way down town
yehoshua maintain’n the fountain
Right about now
I should be over Chicago lights out
the window
levy breaks
flow like diamonds
all these babies crying
ideas flying round
it’s time to come down from the mountain welcome home
just stick to the plan
but how can I
be like the stars and sand
it’s only man
who commands
he put this one in our hands
two tabs of stone I’m alone while these
fans keep circling
over the land
like helicopter blades
I crave some breeze
will you wait, wait for me, please
40 days and 40 nights
but I can’t stand much more
so you think you understand
what’s pure and un pure
now it’s pouring
my soul on the floor
you think ya know so much
that I’m so out of touch
I tossed in the crutch
to the aish tamid
now I walk with a limp
with a wound that bleeds
while all these animals feed
with there envy and greed
small minds wanna see
they wanna chop this tree
cut me down
pressure to concede
and give in to what they believe is me
but I’m a fight, I’m a light, I’m the glory of the king
I’m the song that ya sing
the melody that ya bring
sharp teeth
and venom that stings
not gonna bring me to my knees
I’m a fish in this here sea
evil eye won’t get at me
I just want to finish this thing
Not gonna bring me to my knees
I’m going down
down to go up
from the pits to mitzrayem
from the dungeon to the kingdom
to my stage offerin’
can’t give up and won’t give in
I am the blood of Jacob
and I’ll keep struggling
like Joseph
my brothers wanna sell me out
I had the dream
time to leave the doubt
multi colored coat with blood on my sleeves
best believe it ain’t from no beasts
got no car
I walked around this reservoir
this is David’s heart
rainbow colored cry
from the end to the start
This is David’s heart
A rainbow colored cry from the end to the start
phantoms and ghosts raise your glass and make a toast
this is for the one
shehechianu
hakadosh baruch hu
what we been thru
Me and you
