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Intone the Verses A Resource for Bahá'í Music |
Welcome to Intone the Verses! |
“Through the power and charm of music the spirit of man is uplifted.” ( ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 52) |
We were also favored with two comments by e-mail from Bob Grannis: “Almost forgot to mention the pleasure I've received from your wonderful CDs. I bought a couple of each of them and having heard them, will be sure to buy more…Well done!!! The community of Baha'is in the English-speaking world just received a treasure trove…that will prevail for many, many years to come. What lovely recordings!!!!...I am sooo sick of the 10 or 12 basic songs we sing at our meetings. I look forward to obtaining the songbooks! This will be such a blessing to our gatherings. Now that I've heard your beautiful singing, I promise to buy more as I see fit, and to-be-sure, your music will “fit” any spiritual gathering. Sing on!!!” |
With more and more Bahá'ís participating in home devotional meetings, devotionals in Bahá'í Centers, study circles, Feasts, Holy Days, and other gatherings, the friends have been longing for songs all can sing together in community, songs that are reverent expressions of Bahá'í worship. Bahá'u'lláh proclaimed in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, “We, verily have made music as a ladder for your souls, a means whereby they may be lifted up unto the realm on high” (p. 38). |
What we offer on this site: |
1) Four CDs and Accompanying Songbooks Good for community singing! (Wendy and Ron can sing with you or sing as a group or individual to the instrumental track) CDs and Songbooks are the ONLY items sent by regular mail. Each song listed has a sample you can listen to on their own pages! Click on the navigation buttons to the right of this column by the song's first letter 2) Songs for group singing 3) Songs for choir, Here you'll find both accompanied and a cappella selections, currently in two divisions Songs for Choir: Titles A - O and Songs for Choir: Titles P - Y 4) Songs Especially for Soloists 5) Songs taken from Ruhi Quotes |
You're now listening to samples from three of our four CDs “Intone...the Verses of God”, “Singing His Praise on Holy Days”, and “Hymns of Praise!” These songs and many ofthers are available as audio files (MP3s) and as sheet music (PDFs)by email! Look for other samples throughout the website |
CD or Songbook are available and sent to you by regular mail. Song for Soloists, Ruhi Quote songs, Songs for Choir: Titles A through O or Titles P through Y, Feast Programs, Devotional Programs, and songs for group (and individual) singing are sent to you through the email! Every song is reasonably priced! You may remit funds either by check or through Paypal. Click here to be transfered to the order page after finding your item. Your purchase comes with: 1) an MP3 file with the vocals (if available), or the instrumental accompaniment (if the vocals have not yet been recorded) AND 2) a PDF file of the sheet music - either with piano score and guitar chords or melody line and guitar chords.) . This is a great way to enhance your meetings and get everyone up and singing the words of God. This includes a license (permission) to make up to 10 (ten) copies so that all the friends in your meetings can see all the words and the music. (If you want to make more than 10 copies, the price will be $1.25.) Please note: Only CDs and Songbooks are sent to you by postal carrier. And please let us know how it goes by e-mailing us at Zak@intonetheverses.com or leaving us a comment through the We'd Like to Hear from You! page. Thank you! ~ Zak Mortensen and Wendy Scott |
Duane Herrmann of Topeka, Kansas, sent us a great comment: “For decades, I've felt that we needed group songs, not only performance "art" singing. Performance singing is nice, but it does not unite the hearts. Group singing does. Thank you so very much.” |
A note from Richard Primont about our work: “Recently, I listened to some of the recordings you” (referring to Wendy Scott, our producer) "made with Ron (Lyles) and they are truly beautiful. Ane there are so many I was amazed at how much work you must have put into that project. It all sounds so right and so pure. Fantastic job!” -- Richard Primont, Singer, Songwriter "Twelve Days" CD |
Donna Maddern from Modesto, California, sent us this insightful e-mail concerning our music: Zak Mortensen has given a new interpretation to “Refresh and Gladden My Spirit,” and it feels so much like the music was made for the words. Singing out “I will be a happy and joyful being” with this arrangement makes you believe it! The words saying “Thou art more friend to me, than I am to myself” and giving over our troubles to a Power that is infallible is such a relief, and this song offers a chance to tell God and Bahá'u'lláh of our thanks for his refuge and protection in a way that feels like we have felt the strength of the prayer. This song grew on me. The more we sang it in devotions, the more I appreciated it. |
February 8, 2010 |
* The Feast Program for the Feast of Alá (Loftiness) will available on the Upcoming Feast page soon! * DEVOTIONAL PROGRAMS Divine Assistance Trust in God ADDITIONAL DEVOTIONALS ON PAGE TWO OF THE DEVOTIONALS SECTION FEAST and DEVOTIONAL PACKAGES are sent via email to you! When you buy the three songs for the Devotional Package or the four songs in the Feast Package, the entire Program text is included for free! If you have need of a devotional on a certain topic, we'll be glad to create a program for you! Just let us know. Check back often to see more selections! * We now premiere our NEW CD: Raise Your Voices Four samples from the CD are featured on the samples now playing! Others samples are available throughout the website! Just look for the New Vocal Sample! marker when browsing the various pages where songs are found. |
Most of the songs offered here are for group singing. The melodies of these songs are fairly simple, pitched in the range of most voices, have a universal message, and will enable people to sing individually and together in praise of God and appreciation of His teachings for this new day. This website will continue to evolve and change as time goes by, and we appreciate your patience as we grow! |
If you'd like to hear how these songs are being used in a live setting, check out the Sunday Morning devotionals at the Modesto Bahá'í Center, 11oo Carver Road, Suite 10 (corner of Roseburg), 11 AM, in Modesto, California |
The Bahá'í Faith is a world religion whose aim to unify the entire human race and to build a world in peace. It was founded in the 19th Century by Bahá'u'lláh, who teaches there is one Creator, that religion is one divine process revealed through God's Messengers throughout the ages, and that all people are part of one family. To learn more, click on the link below: Links to other Baha'i sites. |
We received a very nice note from Susan Crawford (from Murray, KY) about our Feast Packages: “Feast was a success and everyone was very impressed with the program. Thank you for your service.” |
SPECIAL OFFERING: A Special Devotional Package For the Victims of the Disaster in Haiti [available until Ayyám-i-Há] FREE for those who request it. How? Click on the words “We'd Like to Hear from You” Please let us know which devotional you'd like -- be sure to include your email address -- and we will send you that devotional. The program comes with a (.doc file) so you can alter it to suit your needs, an already-formatted program booklet (PDF file), and three music files (MP3), sung by Wendy Scott and Ron Lyles ALSO FEATURED ARE: |
“Intone, O My Servant, the verses of God that have been received by thee, as intoned by them who have drawn night unto Him, that the sweetness of thy melody may kindle thine own soul, and attract the hearts of all...” ~ Bahá'u'lláh Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 290 |