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.
Great of love, living passionately,
rise in strength to slay anxiety.
When I’m afraid Your power sets me free.
Mighty Bast, send Your Arrows!
Nefertem, Your perfume comes to me.
Heru-hekenu, spread Your wings above me.
Khonsu-Heru, shining beautifully —
Mighty Bast, send Your Arrows!
Gracious Wadjet, come in peace for me.
Wenut, Eye of Ra, come joyfully.
Heryshef, crowned with majesty —
Mighty Bast, send Your Arrows!
Lift me up into the sunlight.
Walk with me by moon and starlight.
Teach me how to defeat my sorrows!
Send Your, send Your, send Your Arrows!
Mighty Bast, O You send Your Arrows!
Notes: Written in June 2010 for the Seven Arrows of Bast. Excellent heka against fear and depression.
O Eye of Ra
O Eye of Ra
Bright sun Nesret
Cobra Wadjet
You come in peace for us,
Beloved child of Ra!
You come in peace for us,
O blazing Eye of Ra!
Protect us from harm
as You protect Heru!
Defend us from harm
as You defend Heru!
O Eye of Ra
O Eye of Ra
Mistress of green
Royal nurse, great queen
May You nourish our souls
as You nourish the King!
You feed our souls with love
and all good and pure things.
At Ra’s command you bring
the wealth of field and tree,
the flood of the lake,
the wave of the sea.
O Eye of Ra
O Eye of Ra
Red crown Deshret
Holy Iaret
You go forth in the King,
The King goes forth in You.
You rear upon her brow.
and she is strong through You.
Effective in Your flame,
O Lady of the Sky,
We live because of You,
O light that will not die.
O Eye of Ra
O Eye of Ra
O You Who rise
Lovely and wise
Papyrus in Your hands,
You bless the coming year
Wadjet is pacified
and I will have no fear.
I do not eat my heart;
I dwell within ma’at.
I follow my heart;
I live by ma’at.
O Eye of Ra
O Eye of Ra
O come, Wadjet!
O come, Wadjet!
Notes: Written in December 2009. Nesret: “female flame.” Iaret: “She Who rises up,” from which derives our word “uraeus.” The flood of the lake, the wave of the sea:from prayer 79, “Prayer to Ra for Prosperity,” adapted from the Pyramid Texts by T. Siuda in The Ancient Egyptian Prayerbook.