Announcing the wonderful new songbook compiled from Bahá'í composers and musicians around the world, including songs in English, French, Arabic, with a few songs in Persian, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Portugese.
Adapted from compiler Ruth Vander Stelt's Introduction:
"Words cannot express the joy I have had compiling the first edition of this songbook. From children's classes, to Feasts, to other Bahá'í gatherings, to e-mail and the Internet, I have been compiling songs that resonate with the depths and the nuances of the Bahá'í writings and teachings. This endeavour to systematize part of the arts for distribution to the larger community has been the unfolding and blossoming of one of the most beautiful flowers we could possibly offer to the present Bahá'í world.
Composers and contributors around the world have happily given their permission to use and distribute their work for the availability of all those desirous of kindling their souls with the sweetness of their melodies.
Users of this book will note that songs and chants were chosen above all for their accessibility, or " learnability ". Indeed, the primary goal of this collection is to provide a resource for individual and group singing, at children's classes, Feasts, or other gatherings. Other inclusion criteria were length of song, as well as availability of permission. The songs included have been approved in their present version by their composer, insofar as the composers and their whereabouts are known. Every effort has been made in this regard; however, it has not always been possible. As concerns language, this first edition is a roughly proportional reflection of the linguistic diversity of Canada.
The guitar chords have been adjusted for ease of play, with a capo being used on the more difficult-to-play keys. The more experienced player may prefer to play the songs in their original key, written in simple letters without the fret board indication, to the right of the capoed chord. Bass chords (ex. A/E, where A is the chord played, and E is the bass chord), are not obligatory.
Work has already begun on the second edition of this book. Songwriters and contributors from around the world are invited to participate in the elaboration of the second publication. Entries should include identification of composer, his/her coordinates, source of text, year of composition, melody line (or full score where available), guitar chords, words, permission to publish and distribute the song, as well as an audio reference, where this is available. Especially welcome for the second edition are songs about the early history of the Faith, about its principles and symbols, as well as occasional songs, for example, about Holy Days or specific Feasts. For composers-in-the-bud, i.e. anyone who has ever hummed, whistled, or sang a tune, please record yourself, even if it's in the simplest of ways, and ask a friend with some basic musical theory to write it out for you. Remember that a large number of songs in the present edition had never been written until now. Unwritten, and over time, many wonderful songs have and will fade away. All songs submitted will be considered for publication.
Comments and corrections, as well as any information on the composers of the few songs I have not been able to identify, are also most welcome, and can be made through the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Gatineau, C.P. 79033, Galeries de Hull, Gatineau, Québec, J8Y 6V2 or sent care of White Mountain Publications for forwarding.
Those who purchase this book are invited to use it to its fullest. They are not, however, invited to photocopy any part of it. With all profit going to the Lifeblood of the Cause, they may be assured that the fruits of their labour, both in contributing to the Fund, as well as in using the songbook, will be plentiful. In the words of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, "Work, work with all your strength, spread the cause of the kingdom."
Yá Bahá'u'l Abhá!
Ruth Vander Stelt, M.D.
Go to the Table of Contents
192 Pages, laminated softcover. with special lay-flat binding
ISBN: 1-894747-04-6 | $24.95 CDN | Order from Unity Arts .
Table of Contents
7 Introduction
9 A Place in the Choir [English] Text and Music by Bill Staines
11 Aie le coeur pur [French] Arabic Hidden Words 1 and 58; Music by Chantal Daigle
14 Alláh'u'Abhá - 95 times [Arabic] from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas; Music by Josée Cardinal
15 Alláh'u'Abhá (French) from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas; Music by Suzanne Hébert
17 Alláh'u'Abhá, My Name is... (Mon nom est...) [English and French versions] from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, additional words and music by Josée Cardinal
19 Alláhumma Yá Subbúh, Yá Quddus [Arabic] from the Báb, Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Bijan Khadem-Missagh
21 Animals [English] Text and Music by Wiley Rinaldi
23 Ayyám-i-Há [English] Text and Music by Joyce and Danny Deardorff
25 Bahá'í Lullaby [English] Text and Music by Jim Styan
27 Bahá'ís We Are [English] Text and Music by Ariel Barkley
29 Be on Fire with the Love of the Kingdom [English] Text and Rythm by Alfred Côté
30 Béni est le lieu [French] Text by Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Suzanne Hébert
32 Blessed is the Spot [English] Text Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Elizabeth Hahn
34 Blessing and Peace [English] Text-excerpt from the Medium Obligatory Prayer, Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Ruth Vander Stelt
35 Brand New Words [English] Text and Music by Dick Grover (new Era Bahá'í School India in the 1970s)
36 Build a New House [English] Text and Music by Dick Grover
38 Children of God (La foi bahá'íe) [English and French] Arrangement by Ruth Vander Stelt
39 Close One Eye [English] Persian Hidden Word 12, Bahá'u'lláh; Arrangement by Ruth Vander Stelt
40 Courtesy [English] Text and Music by Nancy Ward
42 Dis: Dieu suffit à tout [French] Text from the Báb; Music by Tom Price
43 Dis la vérité {French} Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Chantal Daigle
45 Fermer un oeil [French] Text Persian Hidden Words 12; Arrangement by Ruth Vander Stelt
46 First Thing [English] Text and Music by Jim Styan
50 Friendship [English] Text by 'Abdu'l-Bahá; Music by Tim Urbonya
52 Garden of God [English] Text and Music by Marg Raynor
54 God is One [English] Text and Music by margaret Jane King
56 God is Sufficient Unto Me [English and French] Text by Bahá'u'lláh
57 Good Neighbours Come in all Colours [English] text and Music by Dick Grover
59 Harmony (Harmonie) [English and French] Text and Music by Ariel Barkley
60 Head to Toe [English] Music by Alfred Côté
62 He Who Puts His Trust in God [English] Text by the Báb; Music by Anis Mangenda
63 Hidden Word No. 1 (Arabic) [English] Text by Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Ariel Barkley
64 Hidden Word No. 4 (Arabic) [English] Text by Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Ariel Barkley
65 Hidden Word No. 5 (Arabic) [Arabic] English] Text by Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Ruth Vander Stelt
66 Hidden Word No. 22 (Arabic) [English] Text by Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Ariel Barkley
67 Hidden Word No. 36 (Arabic) [English] Text by Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Ruth Vander Stelt
68 Hidden Word No. 55 (Arabic) [English] Text by Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Ruth Vander Stelt
69 Hidden Word No. 5 (Persian) [English] Text by Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Ruth Vander Stelt
70 Hidden Word No. 81 (Persian) [English] Text by Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Ruth Vander Stelt
72 Hollow Reed Text-unauthenticated prayer; Music by Alfred Côté
74 I Think You're Wonderful [English] Text and Music by Red and Kathy Grammer
77 If an Animal be Sick [English] Text by 'Abdu'l-Bahá; Music by Tim Urbonya
79 I Have Found Bahá'u'lláh [English] Text and Music by Miss Nosisana Velem [French paraphrase by Ruth Vander Stelt]
80 Inondez du soleil [French] Text Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá; Music by Chantal Daigle
83 Is There Any Remover of Difficulties? [English] Prayer by the Báb; Music by Tom Price
84 King of Kings (Le Roi des rois) [English] Text and Music source unknown
85 L'administration bahá'íe [French] Text and Music by Ruth Vander Stelt
87 La chanson des prophètes [French] Text and Music by Jack Lenz, Suzanne Hébert
89 La courte prière de guérison [French] Text Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Ruth Vander Stelt
91 La grande prière de guérison [French]
94 Let Thy Breeze Refresh Them [English] Text by 'Abdu'l-Bahá; Music by Laura Rowe, arrangement by Jim Styan
97 Look at Me, Follow Me (Regarde-moi, suis ma voie...) Text and Music by Jackie Elliott and Tom Price
101 Mon nom ŕ moi [French] Text by 'Abdu'l-Bahá; Music and arrangement by Patrick Arnaud
103 Morning Prayer [English] Text by Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Jack Lenz
105 O Be Joyful! [English] Text and music source unknown; Arrangement by Ruth Vander Stelt
106 Ô Dieu! Guide-moi [French] Text by 'Abdu'l-Bahá; Music by Suzanne Hébert
107 Ô Dieu, pare ma tête [French] Text by Bahá'u'lláh; Music-Greensleeves medieval melody; Arrangement by Julie Goudreau
109 O Dios Guia Me [Spanish] Text by 'Abdu'l-Bahá; music source unknown
110 O God, Educate These Children [English] Text by 'Abdu'l-Bahá; Music by Danny Deardorff
112 O God, Guide Me [English]Text by 'Abdu'l-Bahá; Music by Jack Lenz
113 Ô mon Seigneur [French] Text by 'Abdu'l-Bahá; Music-traditional middle-Eastern melody, Arrangement by Josée Cardinal
116 Parole cachée n°. 5 (en arabe) [French] Text by Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Chantal Daigle
118 Parole cachée n°. 55 (en arabe) [French] Text by Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Ruth Vander Stelt
119 Peace is Calling [English]Text and Music by Ariel Barkley
120 Prayer for the Dead [English] Text by Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Ruth Vander Stelt
122 Que ta vie soit pure [French] Text by Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Chantal Daigle
124 Que voulez-vous ?[French] Text by Alfred Côté; Music source traditional Québécois folk song
125 Qui hormis Dieu? [French] Text by the Báb; Music by Andrea Graham
126 Radiant Star [English] Text 'Abdu'l-Bahá; Music by Tim Urbonya
128 Say: God Sufficeth [English] Text by the Báb; Music by Tom Price
129 See the World as One [English] text and Music by Ariel Barkley
131 Shine Your Light on Me, Bahá'u'lláh [English] Text and Music by the Bahá'ís of the South Pacific and Malaysia; French translation by Dominique Marchal
132 Somebody Told Me [English] Text based on Bible Prophecies; Text and Music Dick Grover
134 Song of the Months [English] Text and Music by Jack Lenz and Doug Cameron
136 Song of the Prophets [English] Text and Music by Jack Lenz
138 Teaching Peace [English] Text and Music by Red and Kathy Grammer
141 The Backbiting Song [English] Text by Mimi McClellan and Susan Engle; Music by Mimi McClellan
143 The Glory of God [English] Text and Music by Dick Grover
144 The Long Healing Prayer [English] Text by Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Ruth Vander Stelt
147 The Pearl [English] Text by 'Abdu'l-Bahá; Music by Kathryn A. Tahiri
148 The Soul is the Sun [English] Text and Music by Nancy Ward
149 Thokozani [Zulu and English] Text and Music by Benjamin Dlamini; English text Russ Garcia; Portugese and French texts-translation unknown
151 Thou Seest These Children [English] Text and Music by Jim Styan
155 Thy Name is my Healing [English] Text by Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Ruth Vander Stelt
157 Tread Ye the Path of Justice [English] Text by Bahá'u'lláh; Music by Tim Urbonya
159 Virtues Rap [English] Text and Rythm by John Chesley and Sharon Chesley-Smith
160 We are Bahá'is [English] Text and Music by Jack Lenz
162 Yá Bahá'ul-Abhá [Arabic and English] Text from the Bahá'í Writings; Music source unknown; Harmonisation and arrangement by Josée Cardinal
163 Ya Hou [Arabic with English and French] Text by Pakistani Bahá'ís; Arrangement by Ruth Vander Stelt
Apendix 1: Full Scores for Selected Songs
166 Alláh'u'Abhá - 95 times [Arabic] Text from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas; Music Josée Cardinal; Arrangement by Ruth Vander Stelt
167 Hidden Word No. 5 (Arabic) [English] Text from Bahá'u'lláh; Music Ruth Vander Stelt
169 Hidden Word No. 36 (Arabic) [English] Text from Bahá'u'lláh; Music Ruth Vander Stelt
170 Hidden Word No. 55 (Arabic) [English] Text from Bahá'u'lláh; Music Ruth Vander Stelt
172 La courte prière de guérison [French] Text from Bahá'u'lláh; Music Ruth Vander Stelt
174 La grande prière de guérison [French] Text from Bahá'u'lláh; Music Ruth Vander Stelt
175 O Be Joyful! [English] Text and Music source unknown; Arrangement by Ruth Vander Stelt
177 Prayer for the Dead [English] Text from Bahá'u'lláh; Music Ruth Vander Stelt
180 The Long Healing Prayer [English] Text from Bahá'u'lláh; Music Ruth Vander Stelt
181 Thy Name is my Healing [English] Text from Bahá'u'lláh; Music Ruth Vander Stelt
Appendix 2:
184 Arabic Pronunciation Key
185 Index of First Lines
187 Audio Reference List Sources for audio materials from the composers
