Eye of Ra, watch over me,
splendid in protection.
Eye of Ra, watch over me,
radiant reflection.
Eye of Ra, watch over me,
light my way to safety.
Eye of Ra, watch over me,
May Your arms embrace me!
Neither storm nor darkness
in their wrath dismay me,
when I feel You by my side.
Shelter me, great Lady,
in the fortress of Your strength,
with Your claws like sabers.
Breathe Your courage into me;
I will fear no danger!
Eye of Ra, watch over me,
splendid in protection.
Eye of Ra, watch over me,
radiant reflection.
Eye of Ra, watch over me,
light my way to safety.
Eye of Ra, watch over me,
May Your arms embrace me!
Eye of Ra, watch over me,
May Your arms embrace me!
Nebt-het,
fanning Your feathered wings,
raise the wind,
let us breathe again
Nebt-het,
spreading Your splendid wings,
sweep the sky,
stars in Your pinions.
Nebt-het,
silently You are there,
close to us
when we turn around.
Nebt-het,
unbind Your midnight hair.
Wrap us all
in the veil of love.
Queen of Heaven,
You never speak.
Lady of Life,
You never bleed.
But when You weep,
all our grief is healed.
And when You smile,
it lights all the worlds.
All the worlds….
Ah-ah ah!
the crows call tenderly.
Ah-ah ah!
For they are Your voice.
Nebt-het,
watching eternally,
Your kind eyes
lovely as the night.
Bring us hope,
steadfast as Your vigil,
tireless
by Your sister’s side.
Faith and love,
heartbreak and renewal,
You are there,
You are always there!
Ah-ah ah!
Ah-ah ah!
Ah-ah ah!
O Nebt-het….
Notes: Written in June 2010; inspired by a crow’s very soft three-note call.
Skillful Ptah,
lord of the morning,
Beautiful Face,
lord of the evening,
upon Your mound
rise up from the Nun,
speaking the Word
of the Creation.
In the Duat,
like gold underground,
You shine for us
where life can be found.
Inspire us,
the work of our hands,
all that we make —
may it be good, Ptah!
Lord, we see You; Lord, we feel You
everywhere that our feet tread.
From one horizon to the other,
You embrace us, Father Geb.
Lord of valleys, lord of mountains,
of the Black Land and the Red,
in Your rising, in Your falling,
hold us close, dear Father Geb.
Ya ta iu ya ta aiu
Ya ta iu ya ya ya
Ya-ya ta iu ya ta aiu
Ya ta iu ya ya ya
Son of Tefnut, husband of Nut,
father of the kingly Gods–
the hillsides rise up, the cliffs rise up
to inspire us with awe.
Lord of mountains, lord of valleys,
master of the fertile plain,
the lands we live on, the lands we love,
may they prosper in Your name!
Ya ta iu ya ta aiu
Ya ta iu ya ya ya
Ya-ya ta iu ya ta aiu
Ya ta iu ya ya ya
Green the fields and green the gardens
as the waters flow and ebb,
encompassed by Your living body.
You sustain us, Father Geb.
From horizon to horizon,
from our birth until life ends,
in Your silence, in Your laughter,
how You move us, Father Geb!
In Your vast grandeur, in Your beauty,
how You move us, Father Geb!
May Your heart be glad in the beauty of the garden!
Sycamores and willows are growing for You.
Everyone gives praise to the Lady of the Heden —
Cornflowers and poppies in garlands for You.
May Your heart be glad in the beauty of the garden!
Cedar trees and myrtles are fragrant for You.
Everyone gives praise to the Lady of the Heden —
Greenery and flowers are offered to You.
[repeat both verses]
May Your heart be glad in the beauty of the garden!
Hethert of the Heden, we offer to You!
Notes: Written in October 2009. Hethert of the Heden: Hethert of the Green Plants, celebrated in festival on III Akhet 20.
Lion Goddess
Huntress of the plain
Great of Magic
Many are Your names
Mut of Uaset
Menhyt of Ta-Senet
Shesmetet and
The Eye of Ra, Wadjet
Lion Goddess
Huntress of the field
O Unique One
You answer our appeal
Bast of Per-Bast
Tefnut, daughter of Tem
Golden Hethert
Fierce Sekhmet with Her flame
Lion Goddess
Huntress in the reeds
King’s protector
Fulfiller of all needs
Pakhet, Mekhit
Silent Meretseger
Nit of Sau
Creator and Mother
Lion Goddess
Huntress of the plain
Great of Magic
Many are Your names
Lion Goddess
Great upon the plain
Come to us
In all of Your names
Notes: Written in June 2011, in honor of the various lion-headed Goddesses of Kemet.
Mother, Mother, I am Your strong daughter
Mother, Mother, I can find my way
through the darkness, through the shadows
through the dawn into the breaking day
Mother, Mother, I am Your strong daughter
Mother, Mother, my heart is for You
No regrets for all that might have been
No doubt, no fear, when I am true
Mother, Mother, I am Your strong daughter
Mother, Mother, fill me with Your joy
Yours the power to make things happen
So fierce, so fine, You do what must be done
Mother, Mother, like You may I
light this world just like the rising sun
Mut, You bless us every morning when the sun meets the sky.
Mut, You bless us every evening with the last rays of light.
You protect us, You protect us, vulture wings outspread!
You protect us, fearsome lion — Eye of Ra, Eye of Ra!
From Your temple by the shore, You come forth in all splendor
with Your two crowns on Your head shining bright, shining bright!
Where the river swiftly runs, You set sail beneath the sun,
bringing life to Amun’s kingdom — Eye of Ra!
Mut, Your heart is pure as silver, like the moon that You love.
Mut, You dance upon the river, You take flight high above.
You are noble, You are regal, like the King of the Gods.
You are great upon Your throne, Eye of Ra, Eye of Ra!
From Your temple by the shore, You come forth in all splendor
with Your two crowns on Your head shining bright, shining bright!
Where the river swiftly runs, You set sail beneath the sun,
bringing life to Amun’s kingdom — Eye of Ra!
Mut, You bless us when the winds blow from the sea to the south.
Mut, You bless all of the Two Lands with the breath of Your mouth.
Breath of life, breath of life — O life bringer, come tonight!
Carry us upon the flood, Eye of Ra, Eye of Ra!
Like the river in its rise comes the power of the Eye!
You protect us, splendid lion — Eye of Ra!
Notes: Written on January 1, 2011, the day of the Boat Procession of Mut festival (I Peret 30).