Bahá’í Tunes

Song commemorating the ascension of Abdul-Baha on November 28, 1921.  The song is based on a letter from the Universal House of Justice commemorating the centenary of Abdul-Baha's passing.  The lyrics were composed by Dr. Duane Varan while the musical composition, vocals and instrumentation were all AI-facilitated.The words to the song are as follows:[verse][male vocals]Thousands came – from every faith and creedPaying tribute to the man – who administered to their every needAbdul-Baha had now ascended – winging His way to His eternal homeAnd Baha’is the whole world over – suddenly felt so alone[bridge]His passing saw the setting of the Heroic age you seeHis life forms the center and the pivot for the unity of humanity[chorus][choir]His message was to join him – in service and self sacrificeBuilding the oneness of humanity – cultivating a new paradiseHis example so clearly guides us – He's a beacon for our communityHe’s the Center of the Covenant –the standard for Bahá’í  identity[verse][male vocals]He’s the unerring interpreter, the embodiment of every idealNothing kept Him from His mission – no peril, obstacle or ordeal His love revived, nurtured and inspired – He’s the essence of purityIn His example we see devotion – the standard for true integrity[bridge]His wish was for all to join Him – in a path of servitudeFacing life’s test with resolution – with a new fortitude [chorus][choir]His message was to join him – in service and self sacrificeBuilding the oneness of humanity – cultivating a new paradiseHis example so clearly guides us – He's a beacon for our communityHe’s the Center of the Covenant –the standard for Bahá’í  identityHis example so clearly guides us – He's a beacon for our communityHe’s the Center of the Covenant –the standard for Bahá’í  identity[outro]

This is a song composed for the Day of the Covenant, celebrating Abdul-Baha'is appointment as Center of Baha'u'llah's Covenant. The Bahá’í Covenant is unique in religious history as Baha'u'llah left His believers with a clear path to turn to for guidance following His ascension, giving Abdul-Baha clear authority to interpret His Writings and guide the community. The lyrics were written by Duane Varan but the musical composition, instrumentation and vocals are AI-facilitated.The lyrics are as follows:[verse]God’s great promise - is we’ll always have His guidanceHis great Covenant - helps us grow and advanceAnd Baha’u’llah’s great gift is the Covenant He left us-Preserving unity with a clear path for guidance[Bridge]It’s light dispels the darknessIt’s the key to our unity[Chorus]Because the Covenant is the ark of salvationIt’s the greatest gift of His revelationIt’s the axis for the world of humanityIt’s the pivot for our spiritual destiny[verse]Abdul-Baha is the Center of the CovenantHe’s the interpreter of the Word, and the Expounder of the BookHe’s the mystery of God, the stainless mirror of God’s holy lightHe’s The perfect exemplar, the source of true insight[Bridge]He’s the wellspring of infinite wisdom -The embodiment of every ideal[Chorus]Because the Covenant is the ark of salvationIt’s the greatest gift of His revelationIt’s the axis for the world of humanityIt’s the pivot for our spiritual destiny[higher key]Because the Covenant is the ark of salvationIt’s the greatest gift of His revelationIt’s the axis for the world of humanityIt’s the pivot for our spiritual destinyIt’s the axis for the world of humanityIt’s the pivot for our spiritual destiny 

Song composed for the celebration of the birth of the Bab and the birth of Baha'u'llah, which occurred within one day of each other (two years apart) in the lunar calendar.  The lyrics were composed by Duane Varan while the vocals, instruments and musical composition were facilitated using AI.  Lyrics as follows:[verse]On the first and the second day, Following the moon’s eighth ray,Baháʼís the world over, celebrate the Twin Festivals We celebrate the birth of Baha’u’llah and the BabAs communities across the world rejoice.  [Chorus]Rejoice!  Rejoice! – As Two Luminaries roseAbove the horizon of the world, their light forever glowsRejoice! Rejoice! Celebrate two births divine.Recreating the world anew - under God’s great designRejoice! Rejoice! God’s new day is here.It’s a time to celebrate with great glee and cheer.Rejoice! Rejoice! As we’re amazed and awed“These two days are counted as one in the sight of God.”  [verse]We celebrate the births divine, Twin Festivals through time entwined,Two stars from one horizon glowReleasing forces that gather and flowNow everywhere the hearts take wing, In every soul, their praises sing.Hearts awaken, spirits take flight, In worship and in service they shine so bright. [Chorus]Rejoice!  Rejoice! – As Two Luminaries roseAbove the horizon of the world, their light forever glowsRejoice! Rejoice! Celebrate two births divine.Recreating the world anew - under God’s great designRejoice! Rejoice! God’s new day is here.It’s a time to celebrate with great glee and cheer.Rejoice! Rejoice! As we’re amazed and awed“These two days are counted as one in the sight of God.” Rejoice! Rejoice! As we’re amazed and awed“These two days are counted as one in the sight of God.”Note: the first two lines refer to the method used for calculating the specific date for the Twin Festivals each year.  Although the Bahá’í calendar is solar, the dates for the births of these divine Manifestations and the one day separating them is based on the Islamic calendar.  So to adjust the date in the Bahá’í calendar, it is calculated as the first and the second day following the 8th full moon from Naw Ruz (hence the lyrics: 'on the first and second day, following the moon's eighth ray'.  

A song telling the story of the martyrdom of the Bab which is one of the key Bahá’í Holy Days.  The lyrics were written by Duane Varan but the musical composition, vocals and instruments were AI-facilitated. The lyrics are as follows:When the Bab - was in His cellSharing His final words from the citadelBut the guards dragged Him awaySeven hundred fifty soldiers prepared to do the deedIt was a public execution that would proceedSo They suspended the Prisoner against a barrack wallAnd placed a young follower across his chest[chorus]The assembled masses saw the greatest miracle that's ever beenAs the bullets flew from the guns the soldiers clutchedAnd when the smoke finally cleared they were shocked to see an amazing sceneThe Bab had vanished and the youth was untouched[verse]They searched high and low trying to find the BabThey were surprised to find Him back in His cellWith His mission now complete He said they could do their deedFinishing His final guidance and His last farewellAnd so they resuspended the youth and the BabBut the soldiers now refused to do their jobSo a new regiment executed the final plan[bridge]And with His earthly mission done The Bab’s message was there for everyone[chorus]The assembled masses saw the greatest miracle that's ever beenAs the bullets flew from the guns the soldiers clutchedAnd when the smoke finally cleared they were shocked to see an amazing sceneThe Bab had vanished and the youth was untouchedThe Bab had vanished and the youth was untouched

A song celebrating Abdul-Baha's contributions to social movements of His day (including race unity, world peace, the environment, and women's rights).  For further discussion - listen to episode #6 of the Society Builders podcast series which explores this theme in greater depth.The lyrics are as follows:When ʻAbdu'l-Bahá - visited our nationHe brought a whole new social conversationHe worked through discourse and social actionAnd His message got a positive reactionHe brought a new strand to questions of raceWith dignity wisdom and  graceWhere diversity is cause to cheerAnd not just a social force for people to fear[ bridge]Because His approach to society building-shaped social movements with what they were creating [chorus]ʻAbdu'l-Bahá and society A oneness paradigm of unityWhere there is no us versus themA path to true social freedomʻAbdu'l-Bahá and societyIt’s The dawn of a new age for humanityEvery social movement saw a brand new lightAnd found a new path to new insight [verse]Whether movements for race, women or world peace His message was for war and prejudice to ceaseThey were infused with new ideas that shaped their causeAnd helped them advocate for brand new lawsBecause these movements were in their nascencySo our influence was greater than it’d normally beAnd we shaped the discourse that did evolveWith new ideas for the problems that they hoped to solve [bridge]Because His approach to society building-shaped social movements with what they were creating [chorus]ʻAbdu'l-Bahá and society A oneness paradigm of unityWhere there is no us versus themA path to true social freedomʻAbdu'l-Bahá and societyIt’s The dawn of a new age for humanityEvery social movement saw a brand new lightAnd found a new path to new insight