June 18, 2023 will mark 40 years since 10 Baha’i women were hanged in Shiraz. Their only ‘crime’ was their refusal to renounce their beliefs in a faith that promotes the principles of gender equality, unity, justice, and truthfulness. This collection highlights Baha’i Blog content relating to the ongoing persecution of Baha’is in Iran.
Baha’i Blog Studio Sessions is an initiative where we invite Baha’is and their friends from around the world to come into a studio and share the Baha’i Writings put to music.
In this Baha’i Blog Studio Session, we’re in Santiago, Chile with Felipe Duhart and Lydia Mills singing “My Only Joy” based on the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha.
This song was filmed and recorded in Santiago, Chile on 26 May, 2019, and music was composed by Lydia Mills.
Lyrics & Quote
And yet, from one point of view, this wanderer was saddened and despondent. For what pain, in the time to come, could I seek comfort? At the news of what granted wish could I rejoice? There was no more tyranny, no more affliction, no tragical events, no tribulations. My only joy in this swiftly-passing world was to tread the stony path of God and to endure hard tests and all material griefs. For otherwise, this earthly life would prove barren and vain, and better would be death. The tree of being would produce no fruit; the sown field of this existence would yield no harvest. Thus it is my hope that once again some circumstance will make my cup of anguish to brim over, and that beauteous Love, that Slayer of souls, will dazzle the beholders again. Then will this heart be blissful, this soul be blessed.
Abdu’l-Baha
Chords
Introduction: C#m7 F#m7 Bsus2 C#m7
C#m7 F#m7
My only joy in this swiftly-passing world
Bsus 2 C#m7
Was to tread the stony path of God
C#m7 F#m7
My only joy in this swiftly-passing world
Bsus 2 C#m7
Was to tread the stony path of God
A Bsus2
And to endure hard tests and all material griefs
A Bsus2
And to endure hard tests and all material griefs
Interlude: C#m7 F#m7 Bsus2 C#m7
C#m7 F#m7
My only joy in this swiftly-passing world
Bsus 2 C#m7
Was to tread the stony path of God
C#m7 F#m7
My only joy in this swiftly-passing world
Bsus 2 C#m7
Was to tread the stony path of God
A Bsus2
For otherwise, this earthly life would prove
A Bsus2
Barren and vain, and better would be death.
A Bsus2
The tree of being would produce no fruit
A Bsus2
The sown field of this existence would yield no harvest
Interlude: C#m7 F#m7 Bsus2 C#m7
C#m7 F#m7
My only joy in this swiftly-passing world
Bsus 2 C#m7
Was to tread the stony path of God
C#m7 F#m7
My only joy in this swiftly-passing world
Bsus 2 C#m7
Was to tread the stony path of God
A Bsus2
Thus it is my hope that once again some circumstance
A Bsus2
Will make my cup of anguish to brim over
A Bsus2
And that beauteous Love, that Slayer of souls
A Bsus2
Will dazzle the beholders again
A Bsus2
Then will this heart be blissful, this soul be blessed
A Bsus2
Then will this heart be blissful, this soul be blessed
A Bsus2
Then will this heart be blissful, this soul be blessed
(Repeat)
Naysan is passionate about using the arts and media to explore the teachings of the Baha’i Faith. Back in 2011, Naysan started up the Baha’i Blog project, channeling his experiences in both media and technology companies to help create a hub for Baha’i-inspired content online.
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