Dramatic Reading for Birth of Baha'u'llah

A Bahá'í friend in Irving, Texas sent this idea: to use the text from the Phillip Hinton reading from the 1992 World Congress (available on CD, with the music as his beautiful voice) as a LIVE dramatic reading, with various parts. So, I offer the keyboarded version, below. You can copy and paste it into a document to use it. (I am not sure if any permissions might be needed.)

O Bahá’u’lláh

Dramatic reading from the 2^nd Bahá’i World Congress

O Bahá’u’lláh, what hast Thou done?

Beneath the canopy of Your Presence, we here assembled acknowledged with our lives the truth You proclaimed.

O Bahá’u’lláh, how long have we waited.

O Bahá’u’lláh, by Your grace we behold You, Prince of Peace, Ancient of Days, O Promised One of All Ages.

O Bahá’u’lláh, what has Thou done?

(at the 2^nd World Congress, this section was followed by “See The Light”)

O Bahá’u’lláh, what have they done?

You were confined in the darkest pit chained among thieves and assassins.

Your feet were placed in stocks, a chain encased Your neck. Two rows of prisoners appareled in what You taught them to sing:

God is sufficient unto me

He verily is the All-Sufficing

Chanted the one

In Him let the trusting trust

Came, in the dungeon, the eager reply

(this section was followed by “Gol Ala Ho Yak Fee”)

O Bahá’u’lláh, what has God done?

In the stench-filled dungeon, You turned Your face and beheld a Maiden suspended in the air, her finger pointed at Your Head.

New creation rejoice in Your Soul, O Prisoner in chains. Through You, the Maiden addressed us “By God!  This is the Best Beloved of the World”.

(this section followed by song "The Maid of Heaven” sung by Tierney Sutton)

O Bahá’u’lláh

Dramatic reading from the 2^nd Bahá’i World Congress

O Bahá’u’lláh, where was the Spirit of God leading?

Baghdad in its grief became the city of Your love, O Exiled One.

Baghdad glowing with the flame of Your love, flowing with the tears of Your pain, its waters burning.

Ferried across the river to the Ridvan Garden, as Prince of Glory You came moving majestically in the utmost joy.  The fragrance of roses greeted You as nightingales sang.

(this section followed by “Garden of Ridvan”, sung by Dan Seals)

O Bahá’u’lláh, what hast Thou done?

Step by exiled step You followed the path of Your Lord.

Kings at Your command let fall their scepters, their kingdoms vanquished in the fire of Your decree.

“O Kings of the earth!”, You proclaimed, “He Who is the Sovereign Lord of all is come. The Kingdom is God’s, the Omnipotent Protector, the Self-Subsisting.”

From the heaven of Your Revelation, divine justice descended to subdue the world, God’s Kingdom on earth.  Your promised kingdom come.

The Maid of Heaven now clad in white, bade You hasten to Your other dominions.  Silently and swiftly You ascended leaving us here in grief, in joy, in wonder at what You have done.

May we remember Your days during our days, O Best Beloved, O Royal Falcon, King of Glory, O Bahá’u’lláh!

(this last section followed by “O Bahá’u’lláh” sung by Susan Engle and then “See The Light” by choir)