Northants World Music Choir
We meet for rehearsals most Friday evenings in Wellingborough, Northants.
New members welcome - no auditions needed.
Here are the words to some of our songs...
1. Siyahamba
Swaziland
Siyahamba kukhanya KweNkosi (Zulu)
Nous marchons dans la lumiere de Dieu (French)
We are walking in the light of God (English)
2. Allunde
Nigeria
Allunde Allunde, Allunde Alluya
Allunde Allunde, Allunde Alluya
Je puwa je, je kusa
Ai yai yai yai ye Alunde
3. Thina Siyahamba
Swaziland
Thina siyahamba sibuye ekhaya
Siyo buye sibonane
Chorus) Alla’u’Abha, Alla’u’Abha
4. Hamba Lulu
Zulu
Hamba Lulu
Anima mela izinto zonke
5. Baha’u’llah Sifundise
Siswati
Baha’u’llah (x6) Sifundise
1) Asiwa theta mavele shona (x3) Sifundise
2) Sisimi sele ngotando (x3) Sifundise
6. De Mehatsi
African
De Mehatsa metatsa mah way, Oh wo, Mahsi (x4)
(De mehatsa metatsa mehatsa metatsa mehatsa metatsa mehatsa metat
(a Tu le mamba)
Europe
1. Shtomeo / Unidad en Diversidad / Say O
Bulgarian/Spanish/Anon
Shtomeo me leh lo ma le shtomeo me leh lo,
(Something has become very dear to me)
Eh! Oh! Oh! – Sin Guerra, con paz (without war, with Peace)
Eh! Oh! Oh! – Amor, unidad (Love, Unity)
Eh! Oh! Oh! – Busca la verdad (look for the truth)
Eh! Oh! Oh! – Justicia (justice)
Ahora si (now yes) - Unidad en diversidad (Unity in Diversity)
Say O eh, eh say what! - say Peace/Love/Justice/Unity
3. Polegnala Ye Tudora
Bulgarian
1. Polegnala ye Tudora, Moma Tudoro, Tudoro
Pod durvo pod maslinova, Moma, Tudoro, Tudoro
2. Poveya vetrets gornenets, Moma…
Ot kurshi klonka maslina, Moma…Che si Tudora subudi, Moma…
3. Atya mu se lyuto surdi, Moma…
Vetre le menaveniko, Moma…Sega li naide da veyesh, Moma…
4. Sladka si sunya sunuvara, Moma…
Che mi doshlo purve lise, Moma…I doneslo pustra kitka, Moma…
5. I doneslo pustra kitka, Moma…A na kitka zlaten pursten,
Moma…
Todora is lying uder an olive tree. The mountain breeze gently blows and
breaks a twig off the tree. Todora is awakened. She is very angry at the breeze
that blows tirelessly, ‘why are you blowing just now? I was dreaming a sweet
dream that my first love came and brought me a small colorful bouquet, and
on it was a gold ring.’
4. Deep Peace
Celtic
1) Deep peace of the running wave to you,
Chorus) May peace, may peace, may peace fill your soul
May peace, may peace, may peace make you whole.
2) Deep Peace of the quiet earth …3) …flowing air to you…
4) …shining stars …5) …Son of Peace…
5. The Remover of Difficulties
Iona Boat song melody (words: The Bab)
Is there any remover of difficulties save God
Say praised be God, He is God,
all are His servants & all abide by His bidding.
7. Adio Mama
Spanish
Adio Mama, adio Papa, Que ya me voy a la comparsa
Middle East / Asia‘
1. In the Garden of thy Heart
m: Israeli - Hana Ava Babanot (w:Baha’u’llah)
In the garden of thy heart, plant naught but the rose of love,
And from the nightingale of affection and desire loosen not thy hold.
2. Allahumma
Arabic (words: The Bab)
Allah’umma Ya subbuh’ un Ya quddus, Ya rahmani Ya mannan
Farej lana bel fazlu’ val ehsan,
Enaka rahmano mannan
Baha’u’llah, Baha’u’llah, Baha’u’llah
3. Esh Kela
Sufi
Esh Kela Mahboub Allah
God is Love, Lover and Beloved, Love, Lover and Beloved
I am love, lover and beloved, love lover and beloved.
4. God is Sufficient
Arabic (words: The Bab)
(Arabic- phonetically) Ghol Allah ho yak fee, men khol eh shi yen
Va helala he fal, Ya tava ke leh, mo tava ke loon
God is sufficient unto me, He is the All Sufficing,
Let the trusting trust Him, let the trusting trust.
5. The Jewel in the Lotus Flower
Anon.
There’s a jewel in the lotus flower unfolding deep within my soul,
To be a jewel in the lotus flower unfolding is my highest goal.
Om Mani Padme hum
(All hail to the jewel at the heart of the Lotus –
the mantra of Avalokiteshvara – the Buddha of compassion)
6. Kummi
Southern Indian
Mal-li-gai mul-lai-adi maruve da vanama-di
Man-no ranjita ma-lar par par par
Man-da-rai punai- adi magi-lam-bu kon-nai-adi
man-jal samandi ma-lar par par par
(Look! Musk-Jasmine and Arabian jasmine. Look! Marjoram and Southern-wood
Fragrant blossoms for heart’s ease. Look! Look! Look!)
North and South America
1. As I went down in the river to pray
American
1) As I went down in the river to pray, studying about that good ol’ way
& who shall wear the starry crown good Lord show me the way
O sisters lets go down, lets go down, come on down
O sisters lets go down, down in the river to pray
2) As I went …wear the robe and crown, O brothers …Come on brothers …
3) As I went … starry crown, O fathers …O fathers…
4) As I went …the robe and crown, O mothers …Come on mothers…
5) As I went … wear the starry crown, O sinners …O sinners…
2. Silvie
Leadbelly
a) Bring me little water Silvie, bring me little water now
Bring me little water Silvie, every little once in a while (x2)
b) Can’t you hear me calling you, can’t you hear me now
I need a little bit of water, every once in a while
c) Bring it in a bucket Silvie, bring it in a bucket now
Bring it in a bucket Silvie, every little once in a while (x2)
d) Silvie come a-running, bucket in her hand
I will bring you water, fast as I can
e) Bring me little water Silvie, bring me little water now
Bring me little water Silvie, every little once in a while (x3)
3. Evening Rise
Native American
Evening Rise, spirit come, sun goes down when the day is done
Mother Earth awakens me, with the heartbeat of the sea.
4. Hey Tumbah
Brazilian
Hey tumbah di hey, tumbah di hey, dabadum, hey dabadum,
Heya heya hey, jalalala (x3)
5. Capoeira
Capoeira
A bata, a bata capoeira bata,
le le le le le le le le le ay ay yah
6 Invocations
Native American melody
a) Abha Beauty
b) Ya Baha’u’l – Abha (O Thou Glory of Glories!)
c) O God, my God, my Beloved, my hearts Desire
Living tradition
1. Time
Richard Leigh (words: Baha’u’llah & Abdu’l-Baha)
In the garden of thy heart
Plant nought but the rose of love,
And from the nightingale of affection
And desire loosen not thy hold.
Baha’u’llah
Where there is love,
Nothing is too much trouble,
And there is always time.
Abdu’l-Baha
We are the waves of one sea,
We are the leaves of one tree,
We are the rays of one sun,
And all the flowers of one garden.
Hey say unity, unity in diversity.
Baha’i writings
Whither can a lover go but to the land of his Beloved
And what seeker findeth rest away from his hearts desire
Baha’u’llah
2. Nine Red Horsemen
Richard Leigh (words: Eleanor Farjeon)
1) I saw nine red horsemen ride over the plain
& each gripped his horse by its long flowing mane,
Ho hillo hillo, ho hillo ho
2) Their hair streamed behind them their eyes were ashine
They all rode as one man although they were nine
Ho hillo hillo, ho hillo ho
3) Their spurs clinked and jingled, their laughter was gay
And in the red sunset they galloped away
Ho hillo hillo, ho hillo ho
(instrumental)
I saw nine….
3. O Son of Earth
Richard Leigh (words: Baha’u’llah)
Wouldst thou have Me, seek none other than Me;
and wouldst thou gaze upon My beauty,
close thine eyes to the world and all that is therein;
for My will and the will of another than Me,
even as fire and water cannot dwell together in one heart.
4. Bloodlines
Terry Allen
O my Mother, she is a mountain
And her soul does touch the sky
And my father he is a river
Running through her sweet, far and wide
And my sister she is a song bird
And she’s singing in her prime
& my brother he is a moon beam
Shining on them in the night
There is a river runs through the mountain
Under moonlight it sings
Of the bloodlines poured on before them
Ever after through the years
5. I Love You So
Anon.
1) You are my mother
You are my father, my lover and my best friend
You’re the beginning
You are the centre and you are beyond the end
Chorus) And I love you so, as you help me see
To see you in all is to see you in me (x 2)
I’m in you and you’re in me (x2)
2) You are the river
You are the forest, the mountain and the sea
You’re all the colours of the rainbow
And the pure white light in me
Chorus) And I love you so…..(x 2)
I’m in you and you’re in me (x 4)
6. Flow
Richard Leigh (words: George Townsend)
O God make me a hollow reed,
Through which the pith of self hath been blown,
That I may be a channel through,
Through which Thy love may flow,
Flow, flow unto others (x2)
Through which Thy love may flow unto others (x4)
7. Strive
Frusco (words: Abdu’l-Baha)
Strive that day by day your actions may become beautiful prayers
Actions be beautiful prayers
I want you to be happy, laugh, smile and rejoice
In order that others may, maybe made happy by you
8. Blessed is the Spot
words: Baha’u’llah
Blessed is the spot, and the house,
and the place, and the city,
and the heart, and the mountain,
and the refuge, and the cave, and the valley,
and the land, and the sea, and the island,
and the meadow where mention of God hath been made,
and His praise glorified.
9. O Son of Man!
words: Baha’u’llah
Wert thou to speed through the immensity of space and traverse the
expanse of heaven, yet thou wouldst find no rest save in submission to Our
command and humbleness before Our Face.
10 Ye are the stars
words: Baha’u’llah
Ye are the stars of the heaven of understanding,the breeze that stirreth
at the break of day, the soft-flowing waters upon which must depend, the very
life of all men.
11. Shine
words: Abdu’l-Baha
Shine out like the day-star, be unresting as the sea;
even as the clouds of heaven, shed ye life upon field and hill,
and like unto April winds, blow freshness through those human trees,
and bring them to their blossoming.
12. The Ashwell Carol
Russian
1) Angels in the skies are singing, trumpets summon loud and shrill;
God his purpose is fulfilling, peace on earth, to men goodwill.
Gloria in excelsis in excelsis dominum
2) From celestial realms descending, to the manger-bed for throne,
Christ the Lord to man is coming, to the earth, to save his own.
3) Born a babe of gentle mother, he declares his love to men,
Let us then, above all other, praise him, as the angels then.
4) Shepherds hasten, praise outpouring, echoing the heavenly lay;
To the crib they come, adoring, homage to the Child to pay.
5) Join we then in acclamation, welcoming the Saviour King;
‘God is love’ his proclamation, may our own in echo ring:
God is Sufficient
GUITARS (melody)
We were all huddled together in one cell,
our feet in stocks, & around our necks fastened the most galling of chains.
The air we breathed was laden with the foulest of impurities, while the floor
on which we sat was covered with filth & infested with vermin. No ray
of light was allowed to penetrate that pestilential dungeon or to warm its
icy coldness. We were placed in two rows, each facing the other. We had taught
them to repeat certain verses which, every night, they chanted with extreme
fervour.
CHOIR (HUMMING the MELODY)
‘God is sufficient to me; He verily is the All-Sufficing!’ one row would
intone, while the other would reply; ‘In Him let the trusting trust’. The
chorus of these gladsome voices would continue to peal out until the early
hours of the morning. Their reverberation would fill the dungeon, &, piercing
its massive walls, would reach the ears of Nasiri’d-Din Shah, whose palace
was not far distant from the place where we were imprisoned. ‘What means
this sound?’ he was reported to have exclaimed. ‘It’s the anthem the Babi’s
are intoning in their prison’, they replied. The Shah made no further remarks,
nor did he attempt to restrain the enthusiasm his prisoners, despite the
horrors of their confinement, continued to display.
MINA
God is sufficient unto me, He is the All Sufficing,
CHOIR
God is sufficient unto me, He is the All Sufficing,
MINA Let the trusting trust Him,
CHOIR let the trusting trust.
MINA let the trusting trust
CHOIR
let the trusting trust, let the trusting trust.
CHOIR (HUMMING the MELODY)
MINA & CHOIR (Arabic- phonetically)
Ghol Allah ho yak fee, men khol eh shi yen
Ghol Allah ho yak fee, men khol eh shi yen
Va helala he fal,
Ya tava ke leh, mo tava ke loon
Ya tava ke leh, mo tava ke loon
Ya tava ke leh, mo tava ke loon
Ya tava ke leh, mo tava ke loon
(Humming to end)
The GUAYMI DAWN SONG
w:Native American m: Richard Leigh based on Native American chants
1. (Mm) Morning Rise, spirit dawn, sun comes up when the day is born,
Mother Earth awakens me, with the heartbeat of the sea
let our lives be like the rainbow…repeat ad lib
(sop-C Melody) Morning Rise….with the…with the...heartbeat of the sea
Eh! Oh! Oh! (X4)
2. ALL Eh! Oh! Oh! – Sin Guerra, con paz (without war, with Peace)
Eh! Oh! Oh! – Amor, unidad (Love, Unity)
Eh! Oh! Oh! – Busca la verdad (look for the truth)
Eh! Oh! Oh! – Justicia (justice)
Ahora si (now yes)
Unidad en diversidad (Unity in Diversity)
3 ALL Mother I feel you under my feet, mother I hear your
heart beat
Ya heya heya heya, ya heya heya ho, ya heya heya heya heya he ya ho
Mother I feel you under my feet, mother I hear your heart beat
Ya heya heya heya, ya heya heya ho, ya heya heya heya heya he ya ho
Eh! Oh! Oh! – Sin Guerra, con paz (without war, with Peace)
Eh! Oh! Oh! – Amor, unidad (Love, Unity)
Eh! Oh! Oh! – Busca la verdad (look for the truth)
Eh! Oh! Oh! – Justicia (justice)
Ahora si (now yes)
Unidad en diversidad (Unity in Diversity)
4. Let our lives be like the rainbow Let our lives be
like the rainbow,
whose colours teach us unity; whose colours teach us unity;
One with moon and one with sun One with moon and one with sun,
& the ripple of the waters, & the ripple of the waters,
ALL Let us follow always…. the great circle,
Let us follow always … the roundness of power,
Following the sacred…. way of honour,
Following the sacred…. a guide & protector
5. A rock of strength in our word, A rock of strength in our word
that shall say no evil, no lie, that shall say no evil, no lie,
Let us be… like the otter… Let us be… like the otter…..
so loyal to his mate he will die, so loyal to his mate he will die,
ALL Let us follow always…. the great circle,
Eh oh oh - Let our lives be like the rainbow (x4)
5. Evening Rise spirit come, sun goes down when the day
is done
Mother earth comforts me, with the heartbeat of the sea
Let our lives be like the rainbow (repeat)
with the heartbeat of the sea Let our lives be like the rainbow
Blessed is the Spot
words: Baha’u’llah / music: Kingsley Swann
and His praise glorified (x4)
and His praise glorified (x4)
and His praise glorified (x4)
Blessed is the spot, where mention of God hath been made,
and His praise glorified (x4)
Blessed is the spot, where mention of God hath been made,
and the house, and the place,
and the city, and the heart, and the mountain,
and the refuge, and the cave, and the valley, and the land,
and the sea, and the island, and the meadow
where mention of God hath been made,
and His praise glorified
and His praise glorified (x4)
and the house, and the place,
and the city, and the heart, and the mountain,
and the refuge, and the cave, and the valley, and the land,
and the sea, and the island, and the meadow
where mention of God hath been made,
and His praise glorified
and His praise glorified (x4)
AFRICA
1. Time
Richard Leigh (words: Baha’u’llah & Abdu’l-Baha)
In the garden of thy heart
Plant nought but the rose of love,
And from the nightingale of affection
And desire loosen not thy hold.
Baha’u’llah
Where there is love,
Nothing is too much trouble,
And there is always time.
Abdu’l-Baha
We are the waves of one sea,
We are the leaves of one tree,
We are the rays of one sun,
And all the flowers of one garden.
Hey say unity, unity in diversity.
Baha’i writings
Whither can a lover go but to the land of his Beloved
And what seeker findeth rest away from his hearts desire
Baha’u’llah
Time
Richard Leigh/Abdu’l-Baha
Where there is love,
Nothing is too much trouble,
Where there is love,
there is always time.
There is always, there is always, there is always time,
There is always, there is always, there is always time,
We are the waves of one sea,
We are the leaves of one tree,
We are the rays of one sun,
And all the flowers of one garden.
(Hey say) unity, unity in diversity, hey say unity, unity in diversity,
(Hey say) unity, unity in diversity, unity in diversity, unity in diversity.
There is always, there is always (always), there is always time, always
time.
2. Rain
Richard Leigh (words: Tufu & Abdu’l-Baha)
The Good rain knows when to fall, coming in the spring to help the seeds,
Choosing to fall by night, with a friendly wind,
Silently moistening the whole earth. Over this silent wilderness
The clouds are dark. The only light shines from a river boat.
Tomorrow morning everything will be red and wet,
And all Chengtu will be covered with blossoming flowers. Tufu
We long for rain (long for rain)
It matters not which cloud pours it down.
…like the plentiful rain, like a rouring sea,
like a prodigal cloud, rain down on me…
God's grace is like the rain (whipered)
Its sun is ever shining,
its cloud is ever producing rain,
its breezes are ever blowing,
its gifts are ever perfect.
Abdu'l-Baha
3. Nine Red Horsemen
Richard Leigh (words: Eleanor Farjeon)
1) I saw nine red horsemen ride over the plain
& each gripped his horse by its long flowing mane,
Ho hillo hillo, ho hillo ho
2) Their hair streamed behind them their eyes were ashine
They all rode as one man although they were nine
Ho hillo hillo, ho hillo ho
3) Their spurs clinked and jingled, their laughter was gay
And in the red sunset they galloped away
Ho hillo hillo, ho hillo ho
(instrumental)
I saw nine….
10. Bloodlines
Terry Allen
O my Mother, she is a mountain
And her soul does touch the sky
And my father he is a river
Running through her sweet, far and wide
And my sister she is a song bird
And she’s singing in her prime
& my brother he is a moon beam
Shining on them in the night
There is a river runs through the mountain
Under moonlight it sings
Of the bloodlines poured on before them
Ever after through the years
11. I Love You So
Anon.
1) You are my mother
You are my father, my lover and my best friend
You’re the beginning
You are the centre and you are beyond the end
Chorus) And I love you so, as you help me see
To see you in all is to see you in me (x 2)
I’m in you and you’re in me (x2)
2) You are the river
You are the forest, the mountain and the sea
You’re all the colours of the rainbow
And the pure white light in me
Chorus) And I love you so…..(x 2)
I’m in you and you’re in me (x 4)
Silvie
Leadbelly
a) Bring me little water Silvie, bring me little water now
Bring me little water Silvie, every little once in a while (x2)
b) Can’t you hear me calling you, can’t you hear me now
I need a little bit of water, every once in a while
c) Bring it in a bucket Silvie, bring it in a bucket now
Bring it in a bucket Silvie, every little once in a while (x2)
d) Silvie come a-running, bucket in her hand
I will bring you water, fast as I can
e) Bring me little water Silvie, bring me little water now
Bring me little water Silvie, every little once in a while (x3)
The Remover of Difficulties
Iona Boat song melody (words: The Bab)
Is there any remover of difficulties save God
Say praised be God, He is God,
all are His servants & all abide by His bidding
. A New Years Carol
words : Anon. / melody : Benjamin Britten
*words from ‘Tom Tiddler’s Ground’ by Walter De La Mare
1) Here we bring
new water from the well so clear,
For to worship God with this happy New Year
(Chorus) Sing levy dew, sing levy dew the water and the wine;
The seven bright gold wires and the bugles that do shine.
2) Sing reign of Fair Maid, with gold upon her toe,
Open you the West Door and turn the Old Year go.
Sing levy dew…
3) Sing reign of Fair Maid, with gold upon her chin,
Open you the East Door and let the New Year in
Mathnavi
Persian (words: Abdu’l-Baha)
Ey khoda yeh poor ata yeh zul manna,
Vaghefeh janoh dello asrareman,
Dar saharha mooneseh janan toee,
Mutaleh bar soozo her manam toee.
Har dellee payvast bar zekrat dame,
Juz ghameh toe me najooyad mahramee,
Khun shaved an dell ke be riane toenist
Kur beh cheshme keh geryane toenist
Dar shabaneh tirre vo tareh ghadir
Yadeh toe dar dell cho mess bahe monir
Az enayat at beh dell ruhi bedem
Ta adam gardat zellut feh toe ghadam
Dar liaghat mangarow dar ghadre ha
Ben gar andar fazleh khud ey zol atar
Een tuyureh balo par eshgasterar
Az karam baloparee ehsan nama
He is God
O Lord Most Bounteous, source of manifold bestowals!
Intimate of my spirit, heart and all my secrets!
Thou that at dawntide comfortest my soul!
Thou that knowest the flame of my distress!
What heart wed but one instant to Thy mention,
Can find beside the pang of love for Thee companion?
Chill the heart that burneth not for Thee!
Blind the eye that weepeth not for Thee!
In the dark and dreary night, Almighty,
The thought of Thee illuminateth my heart.
Breathe of Thy bounty of life into mine heart.
That nothingness may of Thy grace be made eternal!
Look not at our capacities and worth,
Look but upon Thy grace, O Bounteous Lord!
Unto these forlorn and broken-winged birds,
Grant of Thy generosity new wings and plumage!
What Ya Gonna Call Yo’ Pretty Little Baby?
Spiritual
1. What ya gonna call yo’ pretty little baby? (x3)
Born, born in Bethlehem
Some say one thing, some say Jesus,
Born, born in Bethlehem
2. What ya gonna call …born born in Mecca
Some say one thing, some say Mohammad
3. What ya gonna call …born born in Tehran
Some say one thing, some say Baha’u’llah
Abraham Ur of the Chaldees, Syria
Krishna MATHURA - India
Moses the region
of Goshen, Eygpt
Zoroaster Azerbaijan, in northern Iran
Buddha Kapilvestu, northern Bengal,
India
Jesus Christ Bethlehem, Israel
Mohammad Mecca, Saudi Arabia,
Bab Shiraz, southern
Iran
Baha’u’llah Tehran, Iran
2. What ya gonna call ….some say one thing, some say Immanuel….
3. What ya gonna call ……Sweet little baby, born in a manger…..
Blessed is the Spot
words: Baha’u’llah
Blessed is the spot, and the house, and the place,
and the city, and the heart, and the mountain,
and the refuge, and the cave, and the valley, and the land,
and the sea, and the island, and the meadow
where mention of God hath been made,
and His praise glorified
The Remover of Difficulties
Iona Boat song melody (words: The Bab)
Is there any remover of difficulties save God
Say praised be God, He is God,
all are His servants & all abide by His bidding