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’s “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 Prince Edward Island, Canada with Steve Zaat who sings “Refresh and Gladden” from the Writings of Abdu’l-Baha.
This song was filmed and recorded on Prince Edward Island, Canada, March 2017.
Lyrics & Quote
O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit. Purify my heart. Illumine my powers. I lay all my affairs in Thy hand. Thou art my Guide and my Refuge. I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved; I will be a happy and joyful being. O God! I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me. I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life. O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself. I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord.
Abdu’l-Baha
Chords
Guitar Tuning Drop D D D D O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit. Bsus Purify my heart. D D lllumine my powers. Em G I lay all my affairs in Thy hand. D D Thou art my Guide and my Refuge I will no longer Bsus4 be sorrowful and grieved; D D Em G D D I will be a happy and joyful being. O God! B5 A/C# I will no longer be D G full of anxiety, G A nor will I let Em Em Em Em trouble harass me. I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of D D life. D D D Bsus2 O God! Thou art more friend to me than I am to myself. D D I dedicate myself to Thee, Em G Em G D O Lord O Lord
In her innermost heart, Sonjel is a stay-at-home parent and a bookworm with a maxed out library card but professionally she is a museologist with a background in English Literature. She currently lives on Prince Edward Island, an isle in the shape of a smile on the eastern Canadian coast. Sonjel is a writer who loves to listen to jazz when she's driving at night.
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