Program Notes:
Hymn to the Dawn
Hymn to the Waters
Hymn to Vena (Sun rising through the mist)
Hymn of the Travellers
Conductor Notes:
For choir and harp
Text:
Hymn to the Dawn
Hear our hymn, O Goddess,
Rich in wealth and wisdom,
Ever young yet ancient,
True to Law Eternal.
Wak’ner of the songbirds,
Ensign of the Eternal,
Draw thou near, O Fair One
In thy radiant Chariot.
Bring to her your off’ring;
Humbly bow before her:
Raise your songs of welcome
As she comes in splendour.
Hymn to the Waters
Flowing from the firmament forth to the ocean,
Healing all in earth and air, never halting.
Indra, Lord of Heav’n formed their courses,
Indra’s mighty laws can never be broken.
Cleansing waters flow ye on, hasten and help us.
Lo, in the waters, dwelleth One,
Knower of all on earth and sea,
Whose dread command no man may shun,
Varuna, sovran Lord is He.
Onward, ye waters, onward hie,
Dance in the bright beams of the sun,
Obey the ruler of the sky
Who dug the path for you to run.
Flowing from the firmament…
Hymn to Vena (Sun rising through the mist)
Vena comes, born of light;
He drives the many-colour’d clouds onward.
Here, where the sunlight and the waters mingle,
Our songs float up and caress the new-born infant.
The child of cloud and mist appeareth on the ridge of the sky.
He shines on the summit of creation.
The hosts proclaim the glory of our common Father.
He hath come to the bosom of his beloved.
Smiling on him
She beareth him to highest heav’n.
With yearning heart
On thee we gaze, O gold-wing’d messenger of mighty gods.
Wise men see him in their libations
As the sacrifice mounts to the eternal heights, mingling with our solemn chant;
He stands erect in highest heav’n.
Clad in noble raiment, arm’d with shining weapons,
Hurling light to the farthest region,
Rejoicing in his radiant splendour.
Hymn of the Travellers
Go thou on before us,
Guide us on our way,
Mighty One.
Make our journey pleasant,
Never let us stray.
Wonder-worker, hearken.
Come in thy splendour; come in thy mighty pow’r.
Trample on the wicked,
All who would oppose,
Mighty One.
Drive away the robber;
Drive away our foes.
Wonder-worker, hearken.
Come in thy splendour; come in thy mighty pow’r.
As we journey onward,
Songs to thee we raise,
Mighty One.
Thou didst aid our fathers.
Guard us all our days.
Wonder-worker, hearken.
Come in thy splendour; come in thy mighty pow’r.
Feed us and inspire us;
Keep us in thy care,
Mighty One.
Lead us past pursuers
Unto meadows fair.
Wonder-worker, hearken.
Come in thy splendour; come in thy mighty pow’r.