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 Brisbane, Australia with Tom Francis who sings “Prayer for Martyrs” based on the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha.
We would like to share this song as part of the #OurStoryIsOne awareness campaign. This campaign was spearheaded by the Baha’i International Community in honour of the 40th anniversary of the execution of ten Baha’i women in Shiraz, as well as the long struggle for gender equality lived by women of all faiths and backgrounds in Iran for many decades and which continues to this day.
This song was filmed and recorded in Brisbane, Australia in August 2023.
LYRICS/QUOTE:
O one and only God, O matchless Creator! Praised and glorified art Thou for having placed this splendid crown upon the brow of these helpless ones, and this mantle of eternal glory on the shoulders of these indigent ones. The rays of Thy sanctity fell upon bodies of clay, and the lights of the world of eternity shone forth.
CHORDS:
Verse
C F C G
O one and on - ly God
C F C Am
O matchless Cre- a- tor
Chorus
F C G
Praised and glorified art Thou for having placed this
F Am Em
Splendid crown upon the brow
F G
Of these helpless ones, these helpless ones
F C G
And this mantle of eternal glory on the shoulders
F Am Em
Of these indigent ones
F G C Bm Am
The rays of Thy sanctity fell upon bodies of clay
F G
And the lights of the world, the lights of the world
C G/B C
Of eternity shone forth
Verse
C F C G
O one and on - ly God
C F C Am
O matchless Cre- a- tor
C F C G
A flame of Thy bestowal
C F C Am
From the enkindled fire
C G C F
Appeared and gave the hearts eternal life, eternal life
Am G F
Appeared and gave the hearts eternal life
C G C F
Appeared and gave the hearts eternal life, eternal life
Jordan Raj is a comedian, content producer and third culture kid. Born in Australia and raised in the Czech Republic by parents with ambiguous eastern origins, he is grateful for his unique perspective as his brain grapples to embrace the world. With brief journeys into the spheres of singing, public speaking, high school teaching and magic, he loves all types of performance and loves creating humorous video content to share online. Jordan is known for the “What’s That Word?” Series on Baha’i Blog and a number of explainer videos on Baha’i Holy days which he co-created with his cousin Raj. Currently, Jordan is living in Germany with his wife, where he spends his time doing stand up comedy and producing the Baha’i Blog Studio Sessions series.
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