Bahá’í Tunes

Dr. Duane Varan

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MUSIC

A collection of music performed by Duane Varan and his virtual AI band, "The Society Builders". The lyrics are written by Duane Varan but the voices, instruments and musical compositions are AI generated. The songs are inspired by the Bahá’í Writings. Lyrics are included in the 'description' section for each podcast (song).

JAN 2

Bright Horizon's Beckon (UHJ Message of Dec 31, 2025)

This song is a reflection of the message of the Universal House of Justice to the Conference of the Continental Board of Counsellors dated December 31, 2025. The message explores progress in the first phase of the Nine Year Plan. The lyrics were composed by Dr. Duane Varan while the musical composition, voices and instruments were all AI-facilitated. The words to the song are as follows: As we lay down solid foundations - For our communitiesWith capacity building in action – for the needs of societiesTogether we learn and discover – There’s no formula to succeed It’s a habit of the mind – a culture of learning we need [Chorus]Bright horizons beckon – as new realities come into viewOur relationship with society evolves – as we build the world anewWe live with acute awareness - of the divine remedySeizing every chance to respond - as we read society [verse]We arise with a heightened spirit – building havens of peace for allRising above the world’s unabating distractions – as we arise to respond to the callIt’s a steady, patient process – where growth is organic you seeAs our friends and neighbors join us – together shaping our reality [Chorus]Bright horizons beckon – as new realities come into viewOur relationship with society evolves – as we build the world anewWe live with acute awareness - of the divine remedySeizing every chance to respond - as we read society [short musical interlude] [Chorus] [octave step up]Bright horizons beckon – as new realities come into viewOur relationship with society evolves – as we build the world anewWe live with acute awareness - of the divine remedySeizing every chance to respond - as we read society

3 min
11/23/2025

The Ascension of Abdul-Baha

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 creedPaying tribute to the man – who administered to their every needAbdul-Baha had now ascended – winging His way to His eternal homeAnd Baha’is the whole world over – suddenly felt so alone [bridge]His passing saw the setting of the Heroic age you seeHis life forms the center and the pivot for the unity of humanity [chorus][choir]His message was to join him – in service and self sacrificeBuilding the oneness of humanity – cultivating a new paradiseHis example so clearly guides us – He's a beacon for our communityHe’s the Center of the Covenant –the standard for Bahá’í identity [verse][male vocals]He’s the unerring interpreter, the embodiment of every idealNothing kept Him from His mission – no peril, obstacle or ordeal His love revived, nurtured and inspired – He’s the essence of purityIn His example we see devotion – the standard for true integrity [bridge] His wish was for all to join Him – in a path of servitudeFacing life’s test with resolution – with a new fortitude [chorus][choir]His message was to join him – in service and self sacrificeBuilding the oneness of humanity – cultivating a new paradiseHis example so clearly guides us – He's a beacon for our communityHe’s the Center of the Covenant –the standard for Bahá’í identity His example so clearly guides us – He's a beacon for our communityHe’s the Center of the Covenant –the standard for Bahá’í identity [outro]

4 min
11/19/2025

The Covenant

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 guidanceHis great Covenant - helps us grow and advanceAnd 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 darknessIt’s the key to our unity [Chorus]Because the Covenant is the ark of salvationIt’s the greatest gift of His revelationIt’s the axis for the world of humanityIt’s the pivot for our spiritual destiny [verse]Abdul-Baha is the Center of the CovenantHe’s the interpreter of the Word, and the Expounder of the BookHe’s the mystery of God, the stainless mirror of God’s holy lightHe’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 salvationIt’s the greatest gift of His revelationIt’s the axis for the world of humanityIt’s the pivot for our spiritual destiny [higher key]Because the Covenant is the ark of salvationIt’s the greatest gift of His revelationIt’s the axis for the world of humanityIt’s the pivot for our spiritual destiny It’s the axis for the world of humanityIt’s the pivot for our spiritual destiny

4 min
10/21/2025

The Twin Festivals

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'.

3 min
07/03/2025

The Martyrdom of the Bab

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 cellSharing His final words from the citadelBut the guards dragged Him awaySeven hundred fifty soldiers prepared to do the deedIt was a public execution that would proceedSo They suspended the Prisoner against a barrack wallAnd placed a young follower across his chest [chorus]The assembled masses saw the greatest miracle that's ever beenAs the bullets flew from the guns the soldiers clutchedAnd when the smoke finally cleared they were shocked to see an amazing sceneThe Bab had vanished and the youth was untouched [verse]They searched high and low trying to find the BabThey were surprised to find Him back in His cellWith His mission now complete He said they could do their deedFinishing His final guidance and His last farewellAnd so they resuspended the youth and the BabBut the soldiers now refused to do their jobSo 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 beenAs the bullets flew from the guns the soldiers clutchedAnd when the smoke finally cleared they were shocked to see an amazing sceneThe Bab had vanished and the youth was untouchedThe Bab had vanished and the youth was untouched

3 min
06/28/2025

Abdul-Baha and Society

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. The lyrics are as follows: When ʻAbdu'l-Bahá - visited our nationHe brought a whole new social conversationHe worked through discourse and social actionAnd His message got a positive reaction He brought a new strand to questions of raceWith dignity wisdom and graceWhere diversity is cause to cheerAnd not just a social force for people to fear [ bridge]Because His approach to society building-shaped social movements with what they were creating [chorus]ʻAbdu'l-Bahá and society A oneness paradigm of unityWhere there is no us versus themA path to true social freedom ʻAbdu'l-Bahá and societyIt’s The dawn of a new age for humanityEvery social movement saw a brand new lightAnd found a new path to new insight [verse]Whether movements for race, women or world peace His message was for war and prejudice to ceaseThey were infused with new ideas that shaped their causeAnd helped them advocate for brand new laws Because these movements were in their nascencySo our influence was greater than it’d normally beAnd we shaped the discourse that did evolveWith new ideas for the problems that they hoped to solve [bridge]Because His approach to society building-shaped social movements with what they were creating [chorus]ʻAbdu'l-Bahá and society A oneness paradigm of unityWhere there is no us versus themA path to true social freedom ʻAbdu'l-Bahá and societyIt’s The dawn of a new age for humanityEvery social movement saw a brand new lightAnd found a new path to new insight

4 min
05/26/2025

When the Sun of Baha Set

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 freeHe was made a prisoner – so we could attain true libertyHe was abased and made to suffer – for the prosperity of allAnd in His passing His message was for all to respond to his call He’s the Manifestation of Grandeur – the King of EternityHe’s the Promised One of all ages– awaited by all humanityWith the Holy Breaths of His favor – He left a Covenant behindTo keep us all united – under the Plan that He designed [chorus]When the Sun of Báhá set – the world lost its Great LightFor another millennium to come – with a Revelation that is so brightWith the Daystar of His beauty set – His message was for us to riseAnd 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 alignFor as we come to be aware – of this true realityWe 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 LightFor another millennium to come – with a Revelation that is so brightWith the Daystar of His beauty set – His message was for us to riseAnd to share His message widely – till it is seen by all eye

4 min
05/21/2025

Declaration of the Bab

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

3 min

A collection of music performed by Duane Varan and his virtual AI band, "The Society Builders". The lyrics are written by Duane Varan but the voices, instruments and musical compositions are AI generated. The songs are inspired by the Bahá’í Writings. Lyrics are included in the 'description' section for each podcast (song).

Creator

Dr. Duane Varan
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

26
Rating

Clean
Copyright

©2025 Duane Varan
Show Website

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