Examples of arts to enhance conferences
The beloved Universal House of Justice has encouraged creative endeavours to be an integral part of the forthcoming series of conferences, and for preparations to be made in advance. One such preparation could be to practice songs for singing together at the conferences. Composing songs and waiata, offering kapa haka, poetry, short dramatic pieces, story telling and many other art forms or other creative endeavours will help ensure our conferences are uplifting, celebratory, joyful gatherings.
One such example where group singing of the words with instrumental music accompaniment could be utilised is the song “His Footsteps.” (See below for details)
Another example which could be incorporated into a devotional portion of the conference is the waiata “Mō te Tata Rawa Ki te Atua” (based on a prayer for nearness to God by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá).
We also share, after the musical items, a touching poem about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
‘His Footsteps’
This song was created through collaboration of a number of individuals in Aotearoa for the commemoration of the centenary of the passing of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá. Below are the words and two videos: a sung performance and a karaoke-style instrumental version that lends itself to group singing.
Words:
Your life, your story, your sacrifice
Your love, your devotion, your smiling eyes Your example shines so bright
Your example is my guiding light
If I could live your life, if I could share your story, if I could feel your sacrifice
If I could learn to love, with pure devotion, If I could see through your eyes
Your example is my guiding light You gave your all to serve mankind
You are the Mystery I ponder every day
You gave us all the strength to step out of the shade
I want to walk in your footsteps
I want to walk in your way
You show me the path, I pray I take it, day by day
We will see no strangers, see them all as friends, turn away from otherness
In this wondrous age, we’ll gather all the people, to the world of oneness
Your example shines so bright, You gave your all to serve mankind
You are the mystery I ponder every day
You gave us all the strength to step out of the shade
I want to walk in your footsteps
I want to walk in your way
You show me the path, I’m gonna take it — day by day
To travel the world in the utmost poverty
Raising the call of His Glorious Name
That was your longing that you gave to me
I just have to raise my own capacity
Now is the time to raise high The banner of unity
Intone the verses, verses of friendship
Grace of God is one, the Grace of God is one
You are the mystery I ponder every day
You are the mystery
ʻAbdu'l-BaháPerformance version
Instrumental version
Mō te Tata Rawa Ki te Atua
From the Bahá’í Waiata Project and DJ MacDonald. This has been composed and recorded for the purpose of meditation and reflection in devotional programmes - as distinct from the original nine waiata produced in 2019 for shared learning.
More from the Bahá’í Waiata Project can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfMP8beF3w_JpljQp54cH1g/featured
Poem
‘Abdu’l-Bahá
From Persia, blue-eyed
Covenant’s Centre;
a prophet’s son.
John the Swiss
saw a soldier
on guard outside
the house on Haparsim,
teary-eyed -
remembered the ride
1912, New York
His head leaning
asleep like a babe,
when on pilgrimage, Haifa,
‘twenty-one.
Realised why his application
was accepted,
with others turned away,
as he shouldered the casket
white in the Palestine sun
amidst the ten thousand.
I see a near ten year old
crying on sighting
His Beloved father
in shackles -
the dank, rat-ridden
Síyáh-Chál.
Riding up front
with the men;
the exile family
crossing mountains
to Iraq -
hands, frost-bitten.
Riding a donkey
from Akká,
pumping water by hand;
an old man,
till he was carried away -
the mountain, holy mountain: Carmel.
Addressing leaders of
industry, religion
at banquets, from pulpits
across Europe, America;
a-sail on the Cedric.
Till He, like - in the cage of this world -
‘a frightened bird
fluttering, longing for flight.’
Exemplar.
‘Look at me,
follow me,
be as I am …’
— John Leask
