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
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3:18
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3:18
Abdul-Baha and Society
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
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3:49
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3:49
When the Sun of Baha Set
This is a song composed to help commemorate the Ascension of Baha'u'llah in 1892. It is one of the nine sacred Bahá’í holy days. The song is based, in part, on this quote from Baha'u'llah: "The Ancient Beauty hath consented to be bound with chains that mankind may be released from its bondage, and hath accepted to be made a prisoner within this most mighty Stronghold that the whole world may attain unto true liberty. He hath drained to its dregs the cup of sorrow, that all the peoples of the earth may attain unto abiding joy, and be filled with gladness. This is of the mercy of your Lord, the Compassionate, the Most Merciful. " The lyrics to the song are composed by Duane Varan while the voices, instruments and musical composition are facilitated through AI. The cover art is a symbolic visualization of the garden path leading to Baha'u'llah's sacred shrine in Bahji (near Akka, Israel).The lyrics are as follows:The Ancient Beauty was bound by chains – so that we could all be freeHe was made a prisoner – so we could attain true libertyHe was abased and made to suffer – for the prosperity of allAnd in His passing His message was for all to respond to his callHe’s the Manifestation of Grandeur – the King of EternityHe’s the Promised One of all ages– awaited by all humanityWith the Holy Breaths of His favor – He left a Covenant behindTo keep us all united – under the Plan that He designed[chorus]When the Sun of Báhá set – the world lost its Great LightFor another millennium to come – with a Revelation that is so brightWith the Daystar of His beauty set – His message was for us to riseAnd to share His message widely – till it is seen by all eyes[verse]The Sun of Truth assures us - that He is with us at all times As we learn to feel His presence always – as we learn to alignFor as we come to be aware – of this true realityWe become the very instrument – uniting all humanity[bridge]Always remember His final plea –That we should always uphold our true unity[chorus]When the Sun of Báhá set – the world lost its Great LightFor another millennium to come – with a Revelation that is so brightWith the Daystar of His beauty set – His message was for us to riseAnd to share His message widely – till it is seen by all eye
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4:15
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4:15
Declaration of the Bab
A song composed to celebrate the 'Declaration of the Bab', commemorating the birth of the Bahá’í dispensation. The lyrics were composed by Duane Varan but the voices, instruments and musical composition were generated using AI.The lyrics are as follows:The Bab paved the way for the Promised One of All AgesHis Revelation ran for over 20,000 pagesAnd for every page – a martyr gave their lifeFor every page – His followers suffered in strife The more they tried – to extinguish His flameThe brighter and brighter - His flame becameHe’s the Primal Point – the Harbinger of the lightThe Spiritual Luminary – who shone so bright [Chorus]And so we join to celebrate with gleeThe Bab’s great mission for humanityThe Bab paved the way for the Promised One So we celebrate His great declaration [verse]If knowledge were letters – only two were revealedIn the years before the Bab’s great missionBut with His advent the rest were unsealedCreating humanity’s new condition Now every law of nature is defiedThe limitations of the past are now set asideNow there’s no limit to what we can doBecause the Bab ushered in the new age [Chorus]And so we join to celebrate with gleeThe Bab’s great mission for humanityThe Bab paved the way for the Promised One So we celebrate His great declaration The Bab paved the way for the Promised One So we celebrate His great declaration
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3:15
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3:15
Ridvan 2025
An exploration of the Ridvan 2025 message of the Universal House of Justice. This is best listened to after studying the message as it will then cue your memory on key constructs in the message. The lyrics are written by Dr. Duane Varan but the voices, instruments and musical composition are AI.
A collection of music performed by Duane Varan and his virtual AI band, "The Society Builders". The lyrics are written by Duane Varan but the voices, instruments and musical compositions are AI generated. The songs are inspired by the Bahá’í Writings. Lyrics are included in the 'description' section for each podcast (song).
New Zealand