Lesson 1: My First Counsel (Janis VandenDool)
O Son of Spirit!
O Son of Spirit!
My first counsel is this
My first counsel is this
Possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart
That thine may be a sovereignty
Ancient, imperishable and everlasting
Ancient, imperishable
(Repeat)
Lesson 2: A Noble Way (By a Group of Collaborators of the Ruhi Institute)
Verse 1:
Justice is a noble way
Justice brings a brighter day
A light to those in need
Shining through good deeds
A light to those in need
Shining through good deeds
Oh, justice is the way !
Verse 2:
We know ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would share
Showing love and showing care
He was content with less
In order to bring happiness
He was content with less
In order to bring happiness
Oh, justice is the way!
Chorus:
Justice is a noble way
(Justice is a noble way)
Justice is a noble way
(Justice is a noble way)
Verse 3:
To be just we have to give
Share our love and joy to live
Sharing blessings we receive
A better world we will achieve
Sharing blessings we receive
A better world we will achieve
Oh, justice is the way!
Chorus:
Justice is a noble way
(Justice is a noble way)
Justice is a noble way
(Justice is a noble way)
Lesson 3: Love, Love, Love (Creadell Haley)
Love, love, love, love, love your fellow man
Love, love, love is how the world began
God loved creation so He created thee
To love, love, love Him and humanity (2x)
Love, love, love the Everlasting good
Love, love, love the Seed of brotherhood
Love all creation for He created thee
To love, love, love Him and humanity (2x)
Love God’s creatures be they near or far
See each human as a shining star
Love all creation for He created thee
To Love, love, love Him and humanity (2x)
Lesson 4: Truthful Words (By a Group of Collaborators of the Ruhi Institute)
Verse 1:
A mirror that’s covered up in dust
Cannot reflect the sun’s bright light
A bird with wings all full of mud
Is unable to take flight
Chorus:
When all of our words are truthful
Our souls are able to progress
The foundation of all human virtues
We know is truthfulness
Verse 2:
A ship cannot catch the wind
If it is using a torn sail
Eyes can’t see the path ahead
If they are covered up in veils
Chorus:
When all of our words are truthful
Our souls are able to progress
The foundation of all human virtues
We know is truthfulness
(Repeat 2x)
Coda:
When all of our words are truthful
Our souls are able to progress
The foundation of all human virtues
We know is truthfulness
The foundation of all human virtues
We know…..is truthfulness!
Lesson 5: Fountain of Generosity (Mildred N. McClellan)
Be a fountain, be a spring
Be an ever-flowing thing
It is true that if you do
Happiness will come to you
Search your heart every day
Is there something you can give away…
Happiness should be your goal
Give your heart and give your soul
It is true that if you do
God will always be with you
(Repeat)
Coda:
It is true that if you do
God will always be with you
Lesson 6: Prefer Your Brother (Wiley Rinaldi)
Verse 1:
I am thirsty, I am thirsty
But my brother, he comes first
So I offer him the water
That will quench his thirst
Chorus:
It is a blessing to prefer your brother
This is a way to show you care
It is a blessing to prefer your sister
You are richer, the more you share
Verse 2:
I am hungry, I am hungry
And my sister, she is too
So I give her some of my food
That’s what’s best to do
Chorus:
It is a blessing to prefer your brother
This is a way to show you care
It is a blessing to prefer your sister
You are richer, the more you share
Lesson 7: Joy Gives Us Wings (Joan Lincoln)
Chorus:
Joy gives us wings to fly, joy gives us wings
Joy gives us wings to fly, joy gives us wings
Verse:
In times of joy, our strength grows in might
In times of joy, our intellect takes flight
In times of joy, our understanding is bright
In times of joy!
Chorus:
Joy gives us wings to fly, joy gives us wings
Joy gives us wings to fly, joy gives us wings
Bridge:
But when sadness visits us, when sadness visits us
We become weak, our strength goes away
Our insights are dim, our thoughts become gray
How-ev-er….
Chorus:
Joy gives us wings to fly, joy gives us wings
Joy gives us wings to fly, joy gives us wings
Verse:
In times of joy, our strength grows in might
In times of joy, our intellect takes flight
In times of joy, our understanding is bright
In times of joy!
Coda:
Joy gives us wings to fly, joy gives us wings
Joy gives us wings to fly, joy gives us wings
Joy gives us wings! Joy gives us wings!
Lesson 8: At All Times (By a Group of Collaborators of the Ruhi Institute)
Chorus:
We should at all times manifest
Our truthfulness and sincerity
We should at all times manifest
Our truthfulness and sincerity
(Repeat)
Verse 1:
When I speak, I share from the bottom of my heart
I let kind and true words be my art
Oh what a treasure is sincerity
A beautiful mix of honesty and purity
Oh what a treasure is sincerity
Verse 2:
When I serve, I give from the bottom of my heart
I purify my thoughts and pray before I start
This way my actions can build true unity
Oh what a treasure is sincerity
Oh what a treasure is sincerity
Chorus:
We should at all times manifest
Our truthfulness and sincerity
We should at all times manifest
Our truthfulness and sincerity
(Repeat)
Verse 3:
When I pray, I pray from the bottom of my heart
I close my eyes and think of God
I don’t think of my desire, I don’t think of what I need
I think of how sincerity can shine through my deeds
Oh what a treasure is sincerity
Chorus:
We should at all times manifest
Our truthfulness and sincerity
We should at all times manifest
Our truthfulness and sincerity
(Repeat)
Lesson 9: Be Like the Earth (By a Group of Collaborators of the Ruhi Institute)
Verse1:
See the earth, it’s so humble
Has all God’s wealth to give
Everything we need to live
Lets us walk on it every day
But have you ever heard it say:
“I am richer, greater than you”
Verse 2:
See the tree, it’s so humble
The more its fruits abound
It bows closer to the ground
And shares the fruit that way
But have you ever heard it say:
“I am richer, greater than you”
Verse 3:
Be like the earth
Be like the tree
Rise to the heaven of glory
On the wings of humility
Rise to the heaven of glory
On the wings of humility
Lesson 10: I Thank and Praise Thee Lord (Joan Lincoln)
Verse 1:
I thank and praise Thee Lord
For the crown of mercy
Set upon my head
It will forever glow
The more gratitude I show
I thank and praise Thee Lord
(Repeat)
Verse 2:
I thank and praise Thee Lord
For the love and knowledge
Implanted in my heart
They will grow and grow
The more gratitude I show
I thank and praise Thee Lord
(Repeat)
Coda:
I thank and praise Thee Lord
For the light of truth
That illumines my eyes
I will see Thy bounties flow
The more gratitude I show
I thank and praise Thee Lord
I thank and praise Thee Lord
I thank and praise Thee Lord
Lesson 11: Looking for Good (David Hunt)
Verse 1:
I’ve got excellence as my goal
But I’ve got a long, long way to go
And I know it helps me on my way
When I see the good in every day
So if I see something you do wrong
I won’t sing about it in this song
I won’t talk about it with my friends
I won’t even think about it again
Chorus:
I’ll look at the good in you
I’ll look at the good in you
I know that you’d want me to
‘Cause that’s what I’d want you to do
And God looks for the good in me
He looks for the good in me
And when I put a cover
On those little faults of others
I hope God will put a cover on my faults too
Verse 2:
‘Abdu’l-Bahá was very wise
He saw your heart inside your eyes
And when He noticed something wrong
He’d find some way to make you strong
So if I find some fault in you
I know just what I have to do
I won’t go tell anybody else
No, I won’t even tell myself
(Repeat Chorus 2x)
Coda:
And when I put a cover
On those little faults of others
I hope God will put a cover on my faults too!
Lesson 12: Brighter Than the Sun (By a Group of Collaborators of the Ruhi Institute)
La,la,la,la…etc.
Truthfulness is brighter than the light of the sun
Truthfulness is brighter than the light of the sun
With truthfulness, O people, beautify your tongues
With truthfulness, O people, beautify your tongues
La,la,la,la…etc.
Honesty adorns the soul of everyone
Honesty adorns the soul of everyone
Honesty is brighter than the light of the sun
Honesty is brighter than the light of the sun
La,la,la,la…etc.
Lesson 13: Be Fair (Joan Lincoln & Carol Sprague)
Chorus:
Be fair, be fair
And strive to provide for the comfort of all
Be fair, be fair
And strive to provide for the comfort of all
Verse 1:
When we are fair in our dealings with others
We gain the trust of our sisters and brothers
When things are divided equitably
Justice will shine for the world to see
(Repeat Chorus)
Verse 2:
When you give true comfort and aid
You’ll follow the path that the Master laid
When wise and just in what you say and do
You’ll bring joy to hearts around you
(Repeat Chorus 2x)
Lesson 14: On the Wings of Detachment (By a Group of Collaborators of the Ruhi Institute)
Chorus:
One day a bird was flying in the sky above
Full of joy and confidence
Soaring in this Paradise, his home
(Repeat)
Verse 1:
As he flew, his hunger began to grow
So he turned to the water and clay below
Down below he was trapped
By his desire and his wings got covered in mud
Too heavy to fly
He could not return to his home
(Repeat Chorus)
Verse 2:
Like that bird I belong to the heavens
So I will not cling to the earth below
I will not cling to riches
I will not cling to my wishes
I will not cling to anything but God
Coda:
So I will walk on the feet of detachment
I will soar on the wings of detachment
And I will free myself of all attachment
Of all attachment to anything but God
(Repeat)
Lesson 15: Bestow Upon Me My Portion (Joan Lincoln)
Chorus:
Bestow upon me my portion, Oh Lord, Oh Lord
Bestow upon me my portion, Oh Lord
Bestow upon me my portion, Oh Lord, Oh Lord
Bestow upon me as it pleaseth Thee
Verse 1:
It’s easy to be content when things are going well
It’s easy to be content when you’re feeling swell
But what is really more challenging
Is to be content when things go wrong
To be patient in times of difficulty
Perhaps even sing a song
(Repeat Chorus)
VERSE 2:
From the time He was a boy
The Master suffered indignities
From early in His life
He hardly had any comfort or ease
But He remained contented and calm
Never full of anxiety
He trusted in God and accepted His Will
Continued on ever patiently
(Repeat Chorus)
Lesson 16: We Are Drops (Adapted from a Hawaiian Folk Melody)
Verse 1:
We are drops (echo voice) We are drops
Of one ocean (echo voice) Of one ocean
We are waves (echo voice) We are waves
Of one sea (echo voice) Of one sea
Come and join us (echo voice) come and join us
In our quest for unity
It’s a way of life for you and me
Verse 2:
We are flowers (echo voice) We are flowers
Of one garden (echo voice) Of one garden
We are leaves (echo voice) We are leaves
Of one tree (echo voice) Of one tree
Come and join us (echo voice) come and join us
In our quest for unity
It’s a way of life for you and me
Verse 3:
All the earth (echo voice) All the earth
Is but one country (echo voice) Is but one country
Man is one (echo voice) Man is one
Can’t you see (echo voice) Can’t you see
Come and join us (echo voice) come and join us
In our quest for unity
It’s a way of life for you and me
It’s a way of life for you and me
Lesson 17: Source of Courage (Joan Lincoln)
Chorus:
The source of courage and power
Is the promotion of the Word of God
The source of courage and power
Is steadfastness in His love
Verse:
Forget about yourself
Stand up for what is right
Defend those in need
Rely upon His might
Teach the Word of God
Be courageous in your deeds
Follow His path
To happiness it leads
(Repeat Chorus, Verse)
Chorus:
The source of courage and power
Is the promotion of the Word of God
The source of courage and power
Is steadfastness in His love
(Repeat)
Lesson 18: Be Hopeful (By a Group of Collaborators of the Ruhi Institute)
Verse 1:
The future we can never know
What will happen the next day
Yet bounties never cease to flow
Trust in God and make your way
Chorus:
Be hopeful, be hopeful
And find God’s bounties everywhere
The sun will rise
And fill the skies
Look up with expectant eyes
Look to Him with hopeful eyes
Verse 2:
Be ever hopeful, strive to grow
And winter will give way to spring
His bounties never cease to flow
They’re bringing life to everything
(Repeat Chorus)
Verse 3:
Be a source of joy and peace
Serve and let the spirit glow
Remember bounties never cease
Be hopeful for tomorrow
(Repeat Chorus 2x)
Coda:
Look to Him with hopeful eyes
Look to Him with hopeful eyes
Lesson 19: Busy Hands (Mary Davis, Wilford Johnson & Edwin Edpalina)
Verse 1:
Busy hands make happy children
Happy children can be found
Making other people happy
Spreading peace and love around
Verse 2:
Working hands to build a new world
Everybody has a role
All of us can be so thankful
For we soon shall reach our goal
Chorus:
Serve your Lord! Serve Everyone!
Show your neighbor love and compassion
Show him that you care
Serve your Lord! Serve Everyone!
Make everybody feel the flame of your love
Verse 3:
God will help us build a new world
Where we all help someone else
All of us will love our neighbor
More than we love our own selves
(Repeat Chorus, then Verse 1)
Lesson 20: Kindling the Fire of God’s Love
(By a Group of Collaborators of the Ruhi Institute)
Verse 1:
In my heart
There is a flame
That God has placed
A special flame
In my heart there is a flame
That’s the fire, that’s the fire of His love
Verse 2:
Day by day (echo) Day by day
I will feed this flame (echo) I will feed this flame
As I pray (echo) As I pray
And do good unto others (echo) And do good unto others
Day by day (echo) Day by day
I will feed this flame (echo) I will feed this flame
This flame will grow
As I pray and serve mankind
Chorus:
I will pray to God
To kindle in my heart
That flame, the fire of His love
And I will strive
That its light illumines all hearts
Verse 3:
And as this flame burns (echo) And as this flame burns
As it grows (echo) As it grows
It will be felt by (echo) It will be felt by
Who come its way (echo) Who come its way
And as this flame burns (echo) And as this flame burns
As it grows (echo) As it grows
It will bring warmth to all who come
Who come its way
(Repeat Chorus)
CODA:
I will strive that its light illumines all hearts
I will strive that its light illumines all hearts
Lesson 21: Radiance (By a Group of Collaborators of the Ruhi Institute)
Verse 1:
As we reflect the light that shines from above
Our hearts will radiate with kindness and love
As we are joyful, illumined and bright
All those around will feel the warmth of His light
Chorus:
O Son! O Son of Being!
Thou art My lamp and My light is in thee!
O Son! O Son of Being!
Thou art My lamp and My light is in thee!
Verse 2:
The love of God never ceases to flow
As we arise to serve its brightness will grow
Don’t hesitate, just radiate with all of your might
Till each and every heart is filled with His light
(Repeat Chorus 2x)
Coda:
Thou art My lamp and My light is in thee!
Thou art My lamp and My light is in thee!
In Thee!
Lesson 22: I Want to be Happy (Fereydoun Jalali)
Verse 1:
There is something you must know
In this Faith we have to show
We are men of deeds, not of words
Our very life should show our Faith to friend and foe
Chorus:
I want to be happy
I want to be strong
To be His servant
My whole life long
So, I must obey the laws of God
Yes, I must obey the laws of God
Verse 2:
There is something you must know
In this world of pomp and show
People are tired of empty speech
They want to see you practice what you teach
(Repeat Chorus)
Lesson 23: Patience (Leslie Garrett)
Verse 1:
Your legs are getting tired
And the road is very long, long, long
You want to give up trying
And the sun is beating strong
Chorus 1:
No sense gettin’ impatient
It’s useless if you cry
If you take it step by step
The time goes rushing by
Patience is the answer
When you’re sad and blue
Patience is rewarded
It brings happiness to you
Verse 2:
Your brother doesn’t understand
But you’ve explained it more than twice
You really ought to try again
And do your best to be nice
Chorus 2:
No sense gettin’ impatient
It’s useless to be stern
If you show him kindness
It’s the way to help him learn
Verse 3:
You want to do much better
But still you don’t succeed
You wonder why make an effort
And where it all will lead
Chorus 3:
No sense gettin’ impatient
It’s silly to do less
If you keep on striving
You’ll eventually progress
Patience is the answer
When you’re sad and blue
Patience is rewarded
It brings happiness to you
Coda:
Patience is the answer
When you’re sad and blue
Patience is rewarded
It brings happiness to you
It brings happiness to you!
Lesson 24: Firm in the Love of God
(By a Group of Collaborators of the Ruhi Institute)
We walk, we walk
We walk the path of God
We’re firm, we’re firm
Firm in our love of God
We walk the path of God
When troubles come our way
We’re firm in our love of God
And on His path we stay
We serve, we serve
We serve the Cause of God
We’re firm, we’re firm
Firm in our love of God
We serve the Cause of God
Always doing our part
We’re firm in our love of God
And serve with a joyful heart
We stand, we stand
We stand, hearts turned towards God We’re firm, we’re firm
Firm in our love of God
We stand, hearts turned towards God Never doubting His aid
We’re firm in our love of God
And all our sorrows fade