When the house was burned,
we returned to the desert and wept
son's slaughtered, daughter's raped
?
gone away are the sun's rays
and the days when our children play
Now they been crushed like grapes.
There ain't no escape.
This is your place, this is your kingdom.
This is your face, broken reflection
Am ma ma-ou...
Burn'n in a burnt down house
Silent victim from bite of regret
Sick with a symptom of name we forget
Forgot the skeleton?? left
Unforgiven, we are forgotten
So...
fill with the venom of an ancient fire that burned our kingdom
on this day the hot breeze (or high priest) sang the anthem
This is your place, this is your kingdom.
This is your face, broken reflection
Who have we become,
what will we be?
One day the moon will shine like the sun
And our heart will feel the love and be numb
Take out your drum and your harps to strum
This is your place, this is your kingdom.
This is your face, broken reflection
About This Song
"Temple" is a haunting meditation on destruction, exile, and spiritual devastation that draws from Jewish historical trauma while exploring universal themes of loss and displacement. The song uses the metaphor of a burned temple to represent both the destruction of the ancient Jewish Temple and broader experiences of cultural annihilation, with Matisyahu's lyrics painting vivid images of violence, grief, and the struggle to maintain faith amid catastrophe. Musically, the track blends ska rhythms with Middle Eastern influences and reggae undertones, creating a mournful yet rhythmically compelling soundscape that reflects Matisyahu's unique fusion of Jewish spirituality with contemporary genres. The repetitive "Am ma ma-ou" chant adds a prayer-like quality that transforms personal anguish into collective mourning, while the "burnt down house" refrain emphasizes themes of homelessness and spiritual exile. The song stands as one of Matisyahu's most emotionally raw works, demonstrating how he channels historical Jewish suffering through modern musical forms to create something both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Comments (1)