Song commemorating the ascension of Abdul-Baha on November 28, 1921. The song is based on a letter from the Universal House of Justice commemorating the centenary of Abdul-Baha's passing. The lyrics were composed by Dr. Duane Varan while the musical composition, vocals and instrumentation were all AI-facilitated.
The words to the song are as follows:
[verse]
[male vocals]
Thousands came – from every faith and creed
Paying tribute to the man – who administered to their every need
Abdul-Baha had now ascended – winging His way to His eternal home
And Baha’is the whole world over – suddenly felt so alone
[bridge]
His passing saw the setting of the Heroic age you see
His life forms the center and the pivot for the unity of humanity
[chorus]
[choir]
His message was to join him – in service and self sacrifice
Building the oneness of humanity – cultivating a new paradise
His example so clearly guides us – He's a beacon for our community
He’s the Center of the Covenant –the standard for Bahá’í identity
[verse]
[male vocals]
He’s the unerring interpreter, the embodiment of every ideal
Nothing kept Him from His mission – no peril, obstacle or ordeal
His love revived, nurtured and inspired – He’s the essence of purity
In His example we see devotion – the standard for true integrity
[bridge]
His wish was for all to join Him – in a path of servitude
Facing life’s test with resolution – with a new fortitude
[chorus]
[choir]
His message was to join him – in service and self sacrifice
Building the oneness of humanity – cultivating a new paradise
His example so clearly guides us – He's a beacon for our community
He’s the Center of the Covenant –the standard for Bahá’í identity
His example so clearly guides us – He's a beacon for our community
He’s the Center of the Covenant –the standard for Bahá’í identity
[outro]
This is a song composed for the Day of the Covenant, celebrating Abdul-Baha'is appointment as Center of Baha'u'llah's Covenant. The Bahá’í Covenant is unique in religious history as Baha'u'llah left His believers with a clear path to turn to for guidance following His ascension, giving Abdul-Baha clear authority to interpret His Writings and guide the community. The lyrics were written by Duane Varan but the musical composition, instrumentation and vocals are AI-facilitated.
The lyrics are as follows:
[verse]
God’s great promise - is we’ll always have His guidance
His great Covenant - helps us grow and advance
And Baha’u’llah’s great gift is the Covenant He left us-
Preserving unity with a clear path for guidance
[Bridge]
It’s light dispels the darkness
It’s the key to our unity
[Chorus]
Because the Covenant is the ark of salvation
It’s the greatest gift of His revelation
It’s the axis for the world of humanity
It’s the pivot for our spiritual destiny
[verse]
Abdul-Baha is the Center of the Covenant
He’s the interpreter of the Word, and the Expounder of the Book
He’s the mystery of God, the stainless mirror of God’s holy light
He’s The perfect exemplar, the source of true insight
[Bridge]
He’s the wellspring of infinite wisdom -
The embodiment of every ideal
[Chorus]
Because the Covenant is the ark of salvation
It’s the greatest gift of His revelation
It’s the axis for the world of humanity
It’s the pivot for our spiritual destiny
[higher key]
Because the Covenant is the ark of salvation
It’s the greatest gift of His revelation
It’s the axis for the world of humanity
It’s the pivot for our spiritual destiny
It’s the axis for the world of humanity
It’s the pivot for our spiritual destiny
Song composed for the celebration of the birth of the Bab and the birth of Baha'u'llah, which occurred within one day of each other (two years apart) in the lunar calendar. The lyrics were composed by Duane Varan while the vocals, instruments and musical composition were facilitated using AI. Lyrics as follows:
[verse]
On the first and the second day,
Following the moon’s eighth ray,
Baháʼís the world over,
celebrate the Twin Festivals
We celebrate the birth
of Baha’u’llah and the Bab
As communities across the world rejoice.
[Chorus]
Rejoice! Rejoice! – As Two Luminaries rose
Above the horizon of the world, their light forever glows
Rejoice! Rejoice! Celebrate two births divine.
Recreating the world anew - under God’s great design
Rejoice! Rejoice! God’s new day is here.
It’s a time to celebrate with great glee and cheer.
Rejoice! Rejoice! As we’re amazed and awed
“These two days are counted as one in the sight of God.”
[verse]
We celebrate the births divine,
Twin Festivals through time entwined,
Two stars from one horizon glow
Releasing forces that gather and flow
Now everywhere the hearts take wing,
In every soul, their praises sing.
Hearts awaken, spirits take flight,
In worship and in service they shine so bright.
[Chorus]
Rejoice! Rejoice! – As Two Luminaries rose
Above the horizon of the world, their light forever glows
Rejoice! Rejoice! Celebrate two births divine.
Recreating the world anew - under God’s great design
Rejoice! Rejoice! God’s new day is here.
It’s a time to celebrate with great glee and cheer.
Rejoice! Rejoice! As we’re amazed and awed
“These two days are counted as one in the sight of God.”
Rejoice! Rejoice! As we’re amazed and awed
“These two days are counted as one in the sight of God.”
Note: the first two lines refer to the method used for calculating the specific date for the Twin Festivals each year. Although the Bahá’í calendar is solar, the dates for the births of these divine Manifestations and the one day separating them is based on the Islamic calendar. So to adjust the date in the Bahá’í calendar, it is calculated as the first and the second day following the 8th full moon from Naw Ruz (hence the lyrics: 'on the first and second day, following the moon's eighth ray'.
A song telling the story of the martyrdom of the Bab which is one of the key Bahá’í Holy Days. The lyrics were written by Duane Varan but the musical composition, vocals and instruments were AI-facilitated.
The lyrics are as follows:
When the Bab - was in His cell
Sharing His final words from the citadel
But the guards dragged Him away
Seven hundred fifty soldiers prepared to do the deed
It was a public execution that would proceed
So They suspended the Prisoner against a barrack wall
And placed a young follower across his chest
[chorus]
The assembled masses saw the greatest miracle that's ever been
As the bullets flew from the guns the soldiers clutched
And when the smoke finally cleared they were shocked to see an amazing scene
The Bab had vanished and the youth was untouched
[verse]
They searched high and low trying to find the Bab
They were surprised to find Him back in His cell
With His mission now complete He said they could do their deed
Finishing His final guidance and His last farewell
And so they resuspended the youth and the Bab
But the soldiers now refused to do their job
So a new regiment executed the final plan
[bridge]
And with His earthly mission done
The Bab’s message was there for everyone
[chorus]
The assembled masses saw the greatest miracle that's ever been
As the bullets flew from the guns the soldiers clutched
And when the smoke finally cleared they were shocked to see an amazing scene
The Bab had vanished and the youth was untouched
The Bab had vanished and the youth was untouched
A song celebrating Abdul-Baha's contributions to social movements of His day (including race unity, world peace, the environment, and women's rights). For further discussion - listen to episode #6 of the Society Builders podcast series which explores this theme in greater depth.
This is a song composed to help commemorate the Ascension of Baha'u'llah in 1892. It is one of the nine sacred Bahá’í holy days. The song is based, in part, on this quote from Baha'u'llah: "The Ancient Beauty hath consented to be bound with chains that mankind may be released from its bondage, and hath accepted to be made a prisoner within this most mighty Stronghold that the whole world may attain unto true liberty. He hath drained to its dregs the cup of sorrow, that all the peoples of the earth may attain unto abiding joy, and be filled with gladness. This is of the mercy of your Lord, the Compassionate, the Most Merciful. " The lyrics to the song are composed by Duane Varan while the voices, instruments and musical composition are facilitated through AI. The cover art is a symbolic visualization of the garden path leading to Baha'u'llah's sacred shrine in Bahji (near Akka, Israel).
The lyrics are as follows:
The Ancient Beauty was bound by chains – so that we could all be free
He was made a prisoner – so we could attain true liberty
He was abased and made to suffer – for the prosperity of all
And in His passing His message was for all to respond to his call
He’s the Manifestation of Grandeur – the King of Eternity
He’s the Promised One of all ages– awaited by all humanity
With the Holy Breaths of His favor – He left a Covenant behind
To keep us all united – under the Plan that He designed
[chorus]
When the Sun of Báhá set – the world lost its Great Light
For another millennium to come – with a Revelation that is so bright
With the Daystar of His beauty set – His message was for us to rise
And to share His message widely – till it is seen by all eyes
[verse]
The Sun of Truth assures us - that He is with us at all times
As we learn to feel His presence always – as we learn to align
For as we come to be aware – of this true reality
We become the very instrument – uniting all humanity
[bridge]
Always remember His final plea –
That we should always uphold our true unity
[chorus]
When the Sun of Báhá set – the world lost its Great Light
For another millennium to come – with a Revelation that is so bright
With the Daystar of His beauty set – His message was for us to rise
And to share His message widely – till it is seen by all eye
A song composed to celebrate the 'Declaration of the Bab', commemorating the birth of the Bahá’í dispensation. The lyrics were composed by Duane Varan but the voices, instruments and musical composition were generated using AI.
The lyrics are as follows:
The Bab paved the way for the Promised One of All Ages
His Revelation ran for over 20,000 pages
And for every page – a martyr gave their life
For every page – His followers suffered in strife
The more they tried – to extinguish His flame
The brighter and brighter - His flame became
He’s the Primal Point – the Harbinger of the light
The Spiritual Luminary – who shone so bright
[Chorus]
And so we join to celebrate with glee
The Bab’s great mission for humanity
The Bab paved the way for the Promised One
So we celebrate His great declaration
[verse]
If knowledge were letters – only two were revealed
In the years before the Bab’s great mission
But with His advent the rest were unsealed
Creating humanity’s new condition
Now every law of nature is defied
The limitations of the past are now set aside
Now there’s no limit to what we can do
Because the Bab ushered in the new age
[Chorus]
And so we join to celebrate with glee
The Bab’s great mission for humanity
The Bab paved the way for the Promised One
So we celebrate His great declaration
The Bab paved the way for the Promised One
So we celebrate His great declaration
An exploration of the Ridvan 2025 message of the Universal House of Justice. This is best listened to after studying the message as it will then cue your memory on key constructs in the message. The lyrics are written by Dr. Duane Varan but the voices, instruments and musical composition are AI.
A song about the Festival of Ridvan - a 12 day celebration each year commemorating the period, in 1863, when Baha'u'llah first declared His mission. The lyrics were written by Dr. Duane Varan but the voices, instruments and musical composition were facilitated using AI.
A song inspired by study of the message of the Universal House of Justice on March 19, 2025 on the role of the Bahá’í home in society building. They lyrics are written by Duane Varan while the voices, instruments and musical composition are AI-generated.
A song that explores the harmful effects of backbiting and defamation highlighting the need for an 'etiquette of expression' where people better regulate their communication. The lyrics are by Duane Varan but the voices, instruments and musical composition are AI-generated.
This song explores the power of the Holy Spirit to transform us and give us capacities we never dreamed of. The lyrics are written by Duane Varan but the voices, instruments and musical composition are AI-generated.
An alternative version of the "Society Builders" theme song for the Society Builders podcast series produced and hosted by Duane Varan. The lyrics are written by Duane Varan but the voices, instruments and musical composition are all AI-generated.
This is an alternative version of "The Gift of Fasting" song (episode 12) adopting the bossa nova genre style.
Song about the bounties associated with the Bahá’í fasting season which occurs in the 19 days leading up to the vernal equinox (start of spring), the start of the Bahá’í New Year (usually the fast runs from March 2nd thru March 20th). During this time Baha'is refrain from eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset. The lyrics are original and are based on Bahá’í Writings on fasting. The music composition, voices and instruments are AI.
This is a song created to celebrate the Bahá’í New Year (Naw Ruz). Producing the song was deeply moving for me as I studied and reflected on the Bahá’í Writings about Naw Ruz. Although I haven't included any direct quotes from these Writings, you will see their influence in the lyrics. The second verse was fun - conveying what spring represents (the Bahá’í New Year coincides with the start of spring in the Northern hemisphere). My favorite part was getting the words vernal equinox into the song - that was a bit of a challenge. The lyrics are mine but the music composition, voices and instruments are all AI.
This was a song I produced at the request of some Malaysian Baha'is who wanted a song celebrating Uncle Yankee Leong, who was the first local person to embrace the Bahá’í Faith in Malaysia. The lyrics are mine but the musical composition, voices and instruments are all AI.
This was a song I produced for a youth conference in Perth in 2024. The chorus builds on a quote from the Universal House of Justice in Ridvan message of 2024: "All must surge, but the youth must soar." It's a message speaking to the power of the youth in bringing about positive social change. The lyrics are mine but the music composition, voices and instruments are all AI.
Song written to celebrate Ayyam-i-ha, the Intercalary days in the Bahá’í calender which is comprised of 19 months of 19 days (the 4-5 days left over each year are the Intercalary days of celebration).
A theme song developed for the 'Ethical Business Building the Future' (EBBF)'s 35th Annual Conference in Istanbul. The chorus includes the theme: Every choice leaves a trace. This is a reference to this quote from the Universal House of Justice: "Every choice a Bahá’í makesas employee or employer, producer or consumer, borrower or lender, benefactor or beneficiaryleaves a trace, and the moral duty to lead a coherent life demands that one’s economic decisions be in accordance with lofty ideals, that the purity of one’s aims be matched by the purity of one’s actions to fulfil those aims."