01.30.12

O Mighty Bes!

Posted in Bes at 9:34 pm

O Mighty Bes!
© 2009 Natalie Baan

Mighty Bes!
Drive all evil away!
Laughing Bes!
Only the good will stay!
You come in like a lion — hu!
And evil runs out the door!

Mighty Bes!
Drive all evil away!
Laughing Bes!
Only the good will stay!
You come in like a lion —
hu!
And evil runs out the door!

Shake Your plumes, O mighty Bes!
Shake Your tail, O mighty Bes!
Shake Your plumes, O mighty Bes!
Shake Your tail, O mighty Bes!
Shake Your plumes, O mighty Bes!
Shake Your tail, O mighty Bes!

Every man get up and dance!
Raise your hands for Netjer!
Every woman get up and dance!
Raise your hands for Netjer!
Every child come dancing!
Mighty Bes is dancing!
Every God come dancing!
Laughing Bes is dancing!
Drive all evil away!

Mighty Bes!
Drive all evil away!
Laughing Bes!
Only the good will stay!
You come in like a lion —
hu!
And evil runs out the door!

Dance with us, O mighty Bes!
Roar for us, O mighty Bes!
Dance with us, O mighty Bes!
Roar for us, O mighty Bes!
Dance with us, O mighty Bes!
Roar for us, O mighty Bes!

Every man get up and dance!
Raise your hands for Netjer!
Every woman get up and dance!
Raise your hands for Netjer!
Every child come dancing!
Mighty Bes is dancing!
Every God come dancing!
Laughing Bes is dancing!
Drive all evil away!

Mighty Bes!
Drive all evil away!
Laughing Bes!
Only the good will stay!
You come in like a lion —
hu!
And evil runs out the door!
Evil runs out the door!
Evil runs out the door!
Evil runs out the door!

Dua Bes!


Notes: Written in August 2009. The tune was adapted from a Nubian song on the CD The Music of Islam, Vol. 3: Music of the Nubians, Aswan, Egypt. (The song is part of a medley called “Nubian Rhythms.”) It could be sung in call-and-response style — the italic text shows the parts that would be sung by the group, while the rest would be sung by one or more soloists.


Prayer to Bes for Protection in Sleep

Posted in Bes at 9:32 pm

Prayer to Bes for Protection in Sleep
© 2012 Natalie Baan

Free of nightmares,
free of terrors —
guard my dreams
mighty Bes!

Safe from muuet,
safe from Apep —
guard my sleep,
mighty Bes!

Scorpions and
serpents fear You —
guard my bed,
mighty Bes!

Stand Your watch the
whole night through
at my head,
mighty Bes!

I shall fear no
dream nor danger
with You there,
mighty Bes!


Notes: Written in January 2012 for Bes, guardian of the bedroom.