Mother Aset, You weep
and the river rises.
Through the Two Lands You fly
to restore Your beloved.
Nothing stands in Your way.
You fulfill Your desire.
May You open our hearts
to the conquering power of love.
Mother Aset, You shine
like a flame on the water.
You give birth to Your son.
You give life with Your heka.
You establish His throne.
You fulfill Your desire.
May You open our hearts
to the conquering power of love.
May You open our hearts
to the conquering power of love.
Notes: Written in July 2010, originally as a companion work to a necklace I created named “Stars and Blood.” The tyet or “Isis knot” is a form of amulet associated with Aset.
This is where it all begins.
This is where life becomes,
where Hapi holds out His hands to us
among the flowers of Nefertem.
The bennu stands upon the stones,
bright sails are raised to catch the wind,
and in this moment all the world,
is new again,
is new again….
Satet, Anuket, be kind to me.
Send Your cooling waters rolling toward the far-off sea.
Nekhbet, Wadjet, watch over me,
everywhere the river flows on his journey
to the Field of Reeds,
to the Field of Reeds.
As swiftly as the hawk in flight,
as steady as the beating drum,
between the Red Land and the Black,
shimmering those waters run.
O great Lord of the Riverbank,
smiling under Hethert’s sky,
O Heryshef, O Soul of Ra,
how bright You shine,
how bright You shine….
Aset, Serqet, inspire me.
Send your breath of life to stir my soul and set me free.
Nunet, Nebthet, You sing to me.
Beyond those gates of birth and death, the mystery
of the Field of Reeds,
of the Field of Reeds.
And when I reach the water’s edge,
my Mother waits there for me.
Among the whispers of the reeds,
silent, She is watching me.
And every treasure is there,
a thousand jewels of the sun,
the lotus pool, the flashing wings,
the sweetest fragrance of Her love.
And in the cool of the evening,
as the golden light descends,
She brings a quiet to my heart,
the peace of Tem,
the peace of Tem….
Satet, Anuket, be kind to me.
Send Your cooling waters rolling toward the far-off sea.
Nekhbet, Wadjet, watch over me,
Everywhere the river flows on his journey.
Aset, Serqet, inspire me.
Send your breath of life to stir my soul and set me free.
Nunet, Nebthet, You sing to me.
Beyond those gates of birth and death, the mystery
of the Field of Reeds,
of the Field of Reeds,
of the Field of Reeds.
Notes: Recorded in March 2013, but written years back. This song is a journey, not just following the great river from the cataracts in the south of Kemet to the northern sea, but also following the movement of the sun from dawn to twilight and of a person’s life from awakening to completion, from birth to death. The tune was inspired by the song “Al-Sayyadin” (The Fishermen) from The Music of Islam vol 3: Music of the Nubians.
Rise up, starry Cow!
Come down, shining Dove!
The year turns, and the Decans change.
O Netjer, bless us on these holy days.
Rise up, divine Cow!
Come down, sacred Dove!
As Ra sails in His barque of years,
His Eye protects us, children of His tears.
Rise up, sun-crowned Cow!
Come down, silvery Dove!
O Holy Ladies, veiled in light,
in beauty You appear upon this night.
Rise up, Mother Nut!
Come down, Aset!
As You stride between sky and earth,
Your dance of love gives life to all the world, all the world!
As You fly between sky and earth,
Your dance of love gives life to all the world![repeat]
Notes: Written in December 2010 for two festivals: The Establishment of the Celestial Cow and the Descent of the Dove. Note that though Aset is named in the song, there’s some confusion as to whether she or Hethert is actually the dove. At least it’s easy to substitute in Hethert’s name, if you prefer it.
Brightly shining Queen of Heaven,
Nebet Aset!
Show us kindness, show us mercy,
as we love you!
Heru’s mother, Great of Magic,
Nebet Aset!
Save our loved ones from all pain
and sorrow!
Notes: Written in July 2008; originally meant to be part of a play, Aset and the Seven Scorpions. The play was eventually performed at Retreat, but with a different song.