Volume 5 (English)

CURRENTS OF ONE RIVER: Songs for Bahá’í  Children’s Classes 
(Volume 5) English Vocal Guides 
All tracks arranged, edited, adapted and recorded by Edwin G. Edpalina (Mandan, North Dakota, USA) from Songs for Bahá’í  Children’s Classes, Grade 2 of Ruhi Institute, Colombia, published by Palabra Press. Vocal guides performed and recorded by Eurie Gamboa of Plainfield, Illinois, USA. Copyright©2021 National Spiritual Assembly of the Baháʼís of the United States of America.

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)

Táhirih, The Pure (Music: Joan Lincoln & Edwin Edpalina /Lyrics: Unknown) Time will but brighten her glory  Ages will sing of her fame  Herald of women’s new station   In Bahá’u’lláh’s Era she came    Time will but brighten her glory  Ages will sing of her fame Rending the veil asunder  Ṭáhirih is her name    Chorus: Táhirih, Táhirih, we hail thee! Táhirih, Táhirih, we bless thee! Táhirih, Táhirih, we glorify thee! Ṭáhirih is her name, ‘The Pure One’

The Promised One (Donna Taylor)   The mighty trumpet blew All the stars did fall All things were made new The nightingale did call Chorus: Bahá’u’lláh ( Bahá’u’lláh) Bahá’u’lláh ( Bahá’u’lláh)  Bahá’u’lláh ( Bahá’u’lláh) Bahá’u’lláh ( Bahá’u’lláh) Every eye has seen Every ear has heard Heaven’s gates resound With God’s new holy Word                            Chorus: Bahá’u’lláh ( Bahá’u’lláh) Bahá’u’lláh ( Bahá’u’lláh)  Bahá’u’lláh ( Bahá’u’lláh) Bahá’u’lláh ( Bahá’u’lláh)   Lo the Prince of Peace The Promised One of all Through the power unleashed The mighty ones did fall Chorus: Bahá’u’lláh ( Bahá’u’lláh) Bahá’u’lláh ( Bahá’u’lláh)  Bahá’u’lláh ( Bahá’u’lláh) Bahá’u’lláh ( Bahá’u’lláh)

Soon Will All That Dwell on Earth (Composer Unknown)   Soon will all that dwell on earth  Be enlisted under these banners   Soon will all that dwell on earth  Be enlisted under these banners Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá YáBahá’u’l-Abhá Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá  YáBahá’u’l-Abhá Soon will all that dwell on earth (Echo: Soon will all that dwell on earth) Be enlisted under these banners  (Echo:Be enlisted under these banners) Soon will all that dwell on earth (Echo: Soon will all that dwell on earth) Be enlisted under these banners (Echo:Be enlisted under these banners)   Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá   (Echo: Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá)  Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá  (Echo: Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá) Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá  (Echo: Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá) Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá  (Echo: Yá Bahá’u’l-Abhá)

Baha’u’llah, The Glory of God  (Pat Morrisby) Bahá’u’lláh the Glory of God  Came to bring a new Day  Of harmony and unity  He had told us of the new way   That all men should live as one  Now what could be wrong with that  But they enchained and imprisoned Him  In a dungeon cold and black  And there He remained for four long months Amongst thieves and highwaymen And each and every other day The gaolers murdered His friends  One night He dreamt a glorious dream In that dark and lonely den “We will render Thee victorious By Thyself and by Thy Pen” And when at last they set Him free  He wandered many lands Exiled for His purity How He suffered at their hands  Imprisoned for over thirty years  Poisoned by the jealous  But through all this His course was clear  He would emerge victorious Bahá’u’lláh the Glory of God  Came to bring a new Day  Of harmony and unity  He had told us of the new way CODA: He had taught us of the new way! He had taught us new laws to live! He had taught us of the New Day!

Truthful Words (By a Group of Collaborators of the Ruhi Institute)  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   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

Be Hopeful                                                        (By a Group of Collaborators of the Ruhi Institute)  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    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    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  Be a source of joy and peace  Serve and let the spirit glow  Remember bounties never cease  Be hopeful for tomorrow  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

We Must Touch the Heart (Michael Naylor & Edwin Edpalina)    We must touch the heart to awaken it We must sow the priceless seed Prepare the heart with the warmth of His love As the sun prepares the soil Don’t oppose your brother’s ideas Please don’t insist they are wrong Be gentle as you open his heart To the Glory of God Chorus: We must touch, touch the heart To awaken, awaken the soul Be gentle as you open his heart To the Glory, The Glory of God When you meet a man who can’t understand All the things you say and do Reach out your hand, try to show that you care Don’t let words exceed your deeds    Chorus: We must touch, touch the heart To awaken, awaken the soul Be gentle as you open his heart To the Glory, The Glory of God

A Noble Way (A Group of Collaborators of Ruhi Institute)  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 ! 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) 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)

Busy Hands (Mary Davis, Wilford Johnson & Edwin Edpalina)    Chorus: Busy hands make happy children Happy children can be found Making other people happy Spreading peace and love around 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 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   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 Busy hands make happy children Happy children can be found Making other people happy Spreading peace and love around

Radiance (A Group of Collaborators of Ruhi Institute) 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!  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  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!

Yes I Believe You (Nicolas Tchamegni) You tell me about this New Age  How thrilling the world ought to be  You tell me that mankind is one family  And that there is a way to world peace  You talk of a new race of men People who have all their trust in God Men and women who are doing their best  To bring divine unity to all  Chorus: Yes I believe you, yes I believe you  Yes I believe you, I believe you  I believe you with all my heart  You say that the Glory of God Over a hundred years ago Came to fulfill all God’s promises to man  And usher in a new golden Age  Chorus: Yes I believe you, yes I believe you  Yes I believe you, I believe you  I believe you with all my heart

The Primal Point (Dom O’Driscoll) In eighteen forty-four, twenty-third of May Mullá Ḥusayn came to Shíráz on the eve of that day And there he met a radiant youth, turban of green “Come and refresh,” He said, but my friends I must see  “Commit them to the care of God,” the Youth replied  “He will surely watch over them,” and I followed in His stride  La la la la la la la la la …He’s The Bab La la la la la la la la la …He’s The Bab La la la la la la la la la …He’s The Bab La la la la la la la la la …He’s The Bab Mullá Ḥusayn he talked about Siyyid Káẓim’s request  To search for the Promised One, and to take no rest Many signs he gave of His coming, to these the Youth replied  “I am the Báb, the Gate of God, you are the gate to that Gate”  La la la la la la la la la …He’s The Bab La la la la la la la la la …He’s The Bab La la la la la la la la la …He’s The Bab La la la la la la la la la …He’s The Bab

The Bábís of Ṭabarsí  (By R. Gregory Shaw and  Edwin G. Edpalina) Three hundred thirteen faithful sheltered by the wall  Greedy prince of Persia land bound to see them fall All the evil forces lined up before their eyes  The Bábís of Ṭabarsí, giving up their lives  Brave Quddús, the Living Letter, raised a guiding hand  Here’s a place we’ve come to give our lives in love for man  Though I know you all will go before their vicious lies The Bábís of Ṭabarsí, giving up their lives    Chorus: The Bábís of Ṭabarsí, The Bábís of Ṭabarsí, The Bábís of Ṭabarsí, giving up their lives   Sound the Faithful Trumpet, Ḥusayn, take your mighty sword  Few the True Companions, but all strength is from the Lord  Send the coward enemies in flight before your cries The Bábís of Ṭabarsí, giving up their lives  Reinforced, the prince’s armies dare again to fight But Holy blood can only feed and not put out the Light  Let the world to a man against this handful rise The Bábís of Ṭabarsí, giving up their lives    Chorus: The Bábís of Ṭabarsí, The Bábís of Ṭabarsí, The Bábís of Ṭabarsí, giving up their lives Ḥusayn falls, Quddús is wounded, the haughty armies cheer  But never will the surrounded Bábís knell to dust in fear  Boots and horses’ leather, yes, on that they did survive The Bábís of Ṭabarsí, giving up their lives  Swearing on the Holy Book, the prince writes down his plea  “You’ve shamed my mighty forces, come out, you can go free!”  So the trusting Bábís fell into the liars’ knives The Bábís of Ṭabarsí, giving up their lives  Chorus: The Bábís of Ṭabarsí, The Bábís of Ṭabarsí, The Bábís of Ṭabarsí, giving up their lives   Now the Holy Candle draws the people to its Flame But long will live the infamy of Persia’s endless shame  Their treachery and trickery, no history denies The Bábís of Ṭabarsí gave the Lord their lives  Chorus: The Bábís of Ṭabarsí, The Bábís of Ṭabarsí, The Bábís of Ṭabarsí, giving up their lives! Giving up their lives! Giving up their lives!

Kindling the Fire of God’s Love
(Group of Collaborators of Ruhi Institute)

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

Day by day I will feed this flame 
As I pray and do good unto others
Day by day I will feed his 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

And as this flame burns
As it grows
It will be felt
By all who come its way
And as this flame burns
As it grows
It will bring warmth
To all who come…
Who come its way

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

CODA:
And I will strive
That its light illumines all hearts (2x)

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) 

Firm in the Love of God (Audio in progress)
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

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)

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 

CHORUS: 
One day a bird was flying in the sky above 
Full of joy and confidence 
Soaring in this Paradise, his home 
(Repeat)

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 
I will free myself of all attachment 
To anything but God (repeat)