Texts of The River of Light

Introduction:

(text by Dante)

And I saw in form of a river

Radiant as gold

From the flowing issued living sparks

A living light flashed about me

Such a veil of brightness that nothing appeared to me

Part I: The Heavenly Halls

(text by Anton Piatigorsky, adapted from The Zohar)

CHORUS

The enlightened will shine like the splendour of the sky

Yesod, Hod, Netzach, Gevura, Chesed, Tiferet, Bina, Chachma, Keter

TENOR

Luster on high

Unknown

Until one high, hidden point

Shone, shone.

And beyond that point

Nothing is known.

CHORUS

The enlightened will shine –

TENOR

A black fire

A blinding spark

Flashes, sparks

Inside the concealed

Of the concealed,

CHORUS

- like the splendor of the sky

TENOR

Not white, not black,

Not red or green

No color at all

Zohar: radiance

Seed of holiness

TENOR AND CHOIR

Gushing, flowing

Into seven heavenly halls

Down below.

2. This is the Light

CHOIR

Yesod, Hod, Netzach, Gevura, Chesed, Tiferet, Bina, Chachma, Keter

TENOR

This is the light that the Blessed Holy One created at First.

CHOIR AND TENOR

It is the light of the eye!

TENOR

He wraps Himself

In a garment of light.

Stored for the righteous

Sown for the righteous.

Hidden and sown like a seed

Birthing seeds

For the Righteous!

Every day, a ray,

A thin string

From the hidden light,

Shines on those who pray,

Those who study

Torah at night.

3. The Heavenly Halls

TENOR

Midnight.

CHOIR

Those asleep, awake!

Those awake, arise!

TENOR
Midnight ecstasy.

Still as night.

CHOIR

Hekhalot!

TENOR

Murmuring.

CHOIR

Hekhalot!

TENOR

Prayers and hymns,

CHOIR

Hekhalot!

TENOR

Murmuring.

CHOIR

Hekhalot!

TENOR

Motionless.

My hand between my knees.

I look into the sacred book,

Past the vision in the mirror

Of Indirect light.

Past the vision in the mirror

Of direct light.

Into my love of the Law

CHOIR

Ascend Hekhalot,

TENOR

This voice is the voice

Going forth

CHOIR

Ascend Hekhalot,

TENOR

Wringing hands in pain,

CHOIR

Master of the House!

TENOR

My prayers

CHOIR

Ascend!

TENOR

Murmuring

CHOIR

Master of the House!

TENOR

Murmuring

CHOIR

Ascend!

TENOR

Into the perfect Name.

CHOIR

Master of the House! Ascend!

Hall One: Yesod

TENOR

Rising.

And beneath my feet

Sapphire stones

Flat as pavement

CHOIR

Yesod

TENOR

And the spirit Sapir

In the center of the hall

Precious and brilliant

Like the essence of heaven

In purity.

CHOIR

Yesod

TENOR

And the light of the stone

Up, down, left, right,

Ascends, descends,

Shines on all sides.

White light,

Flaming

Red light

Flaming

White and red together

Never resting, united

Like the light of the sun

In water

O, spirit within spirit

Sapphire Pavement!

Hollow light

Rising.

To the second hall.

And I pray

And rise

Hall Two: Hod

TENOR

Two united

Whirling, revolving

Together in darkness.

Unrevealed,

Like the closing of an eye,

Until the spirits below

Ascend and ignite.

The spirit of radiance,

White as bone,

CHOIR

Etzem Ha Shamayim!

TENOR

Pure radiance,

Bound,

With the spirit of heavens

In azure blue light.

Blue and white,

CHOIR

Hod.

TENOR

An eye rolling around itself

CHOIR

Livnat Ha Sapir

TENOR

White merges white.

CHOIR

Hod.

TENOR

Blue and red, united

CHOIR

Livnat Ha Sapir

TENOR

Ignited

CHOIR

Hod.

TENOR

Whirling, whirling, whirling, whirling

Happy is he

Who understands

The spinning of the lights!

And the angels cry:

Holy, holy, holy

CHOIR

Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh!

TENOR

In prayer I recite.

Fire with water,

Dust with air,

East with West

North with South,

Purity of light

Ascending, ascending

Perfected, Perfect

Perfect, perfect, etc.

Hall Three: Netzach

CHOIR

Come and Behold, The Third Hall, Colourless Purity, Nogah

Six Hundred thousand golden sheilds, Songs without end, Nogah

TENOR
And in the third hall

A spirit called Brightness.

Clearest and purest

No color at all.

CHOIR

Nogah!

TENOR

The spirits below

Arise and ignite

The invisible spirit,

Pure brightness!

CHOIR

Nogah!

TENOR

And within that light

Twenty-two lights

All of one light

Twenty-two letters

Sacred, pure letters

Together comprise

One letter

CHORUS

Yod,

TENOR

One single

CHORUS

Yod,

TENOR

And the walls

Glitter in gold

On the prayers of the righteous

The third hall!

Come and behold,

TENOR AND CHOIR

Brightness!

Part II: Heaven’s Eye

Text by Marjorie Chan, Narration text by Mozi

Narrator (in Mandarin):

I know Heaven loves men dearly not without reason. Heaven ordered the sun, the moon, and the stars, to enlighten and guide them. Heaven ordained the four seasons, Spring, Autumn, Winter, and Summer, to regulate them. Heaven sent down snow, frost, rain, and dew. Heaven established the hills and rivers, ravines and valleys, and arranged many things to minister to man's good or bring him evil. He appointed the dukes and lords to reward the virtuous and punish the wicked, and to gather metal and wood, birds and beasts. This has been so from antiquity to the present.

Soprano:

The quiet night, an evening’s secret

The darkness gives way to dawn

The sheer gorges reaching rising

Where you are

Infinity’s disguise

The aperture of the sky

Heaven’s eye

Can you see me in the rapid waters?

From under the waves

Deep, though I may be

Your light can pierce

Straight to me, under the deep

The light that feeds

The light that floods

Glory

Glory to guide me

Give us the light

Guide us

Feed us

Free us

The rain she falls forever

The snow will melt together

The dew of mornings, we meet again

The mist of the evenings, so we must part

The sun is setting

I say goodbye

The cool of the water

Brushes my cheek

The gentlest wave

Floats over my brow

Over

Under

Over

Under

I float

I wait

Glory

Glory flows from heaven’s eye

I wait, I lie in the mirror of the sky

I float, I wish, the tears renew

Blessed waters

Come to me

The purest light

The wildest waters waits

Peace in the waves

Floating free

Call my name

Caress with waves

Tease the shore

Bless this life!

Narrator (in Mandarin):

I know Heaven loves men dearly not without reason. Heaven ordered the sun, the moon, and the stars, to enlighten and guide them. Heaven ordained the four seasons, Spring, Autumn, Winter, and Summer, to regulate them. Heaven sent down snow, frost, rain, and dew. Heaven established the hills and rivers, ravines and valleys, and arranged many things to minister to man's good or bring him evil. He appointed the dukes and lords to reward the virtuous and punish the wicked, and to gather metal and wood, birds and beasts. This has been so from antiquity to the present.

Part III: Naka

Text by Richard Van Camp, Translations by Rosa Mantla, Narration by Richard Van Camp and Mason Mantla

CHOIR (In Tłı̨chǫ)

Negha dàgots’èwhòà dzǫ nı̨ts’ı̨ı̨de (We have come to dance for you)

Negha dàgots’èhwò xe yahts’èh (We dance and pray for you)

NARRATOR

Kǫ̀. (Fire)

Kǫ̀

Kǫ̀………Kǫ̀! Fire!

We hear something swimming over the night: the voice of the aurora. We hear electricity. Elders say it’s like someone’s frying something up for you in the next room.

And a voice: the voice from the northern lights watching above.

They’ve come to dance for you

CHOIR (In Tłı̨chǫ)

Negha dàgots’èwhòà dzǫ nı̨ts’ı̨ı̨de (We have come to dance for you)

NARRATOR

They dance and pray for you

CHOIR (In Tłı̨chǫ)

Negha dàgots’èhwò xe yahts’èh (We dance and pray for you)

Kǫ̀ (Fire)

Ti (Water)

Negha dàgots’èwhòà dzǫ nı̨ts’ı̨ı̨de, (We have come to dance for you)

NARRATOR

We know how to call the Northern Lights in Fort Smith. You can whistle. Or rub your fingernails together. Or use your zipper to call them. If you do this right, it will look like rolling rainbows in the sky coming towards you.

CHOIR (In Tłı̨chǫ)

Negha dàgots’èwhòà dzǫ nı̨ts’ı̨ı̨de, (We have come to dance for you)

Negha dàgots’èhwò xe yahts’èh (We dance and pray for you)

Kǫ̀ (Fire)

Ti (Water)

NARRATOR

Water

CHOIR (In Tłı̨chǫ)

Ti (Water)

Nàteh shı̨ ne ts’ǫ goxagode, (The dream songs of your water call us)

Hanı̀ko nets’ǫ ta kǫ̀ nàtso dı, (But the fire is burning hard in your water now.)

Exoo, (It's roaring)

Kǫ̀ dek’òò nàhk’e woxèekw’o,( Fire is louder than water)

Dè netsàlea, nets’ǫ dèk’òò/dehtła, (Your water is on fire, Little Earth)

Tı wet’à ts’eda/eda ne, (Water is life)

Semǫ, wet’à ı̨da dèk’ǫǫ ne, (Mother, your life is on fire)

NARRATOR

The dream songs of your water call us

But the fire is burning hard in your water now

It’s roaring

Fire is louder than water

Your water is on fire little earth

Earth only wants to hold your hand

CHOIR (in Tłı̨chǫ)

Nı̨la nàetò, (Hold your hand)

NARRATOR

Sing with you

CHOIR (in Tłı̨chǫ)

Nexè edzı̨, (Sing with you)

NARRATOR

Dance with you.

CHOIR (In Tłı̨chǫ)

Nexè dàtło, (Dance with you.)

NARRATOR

Watch you grow.

CHOIR (in Tłı̨chǫ)

Nı̨ze nàda, (Watch you grow.)

NARRATOR

Sing to the sun

CHOIR (In Tłı̨chǫ)

Saeè ts’ǫ edzı̨ (Sing to the sun).

NARRATOR

Howl to the moon

CHOIR (In Tłı̨chǫ)

A‐zę‐zaà ts’ǫ nàe‐tse, (Howl to the moon)

CHOIR (In Tłı̨chǫ)

Hanı̀ nı̨dè ayıghǫǫ etse adı, (why is she weeping in pain?)

NARRATOR

Did you forget?

CHOIR (In Tłı̨chǫ)

Wonàadı‐le, (Did you forget?)

NARRATOR

Your Mother is dreaming

CHOIR (In Tłı̨chǫ)

Nemǫ nàteh,(Your Mother is dreaming)

NARRATOR

So why is she weeping in pain?

CHOIR (In Tłı̨chǫ)

Hanı̀ nı̨dè ayıghǫǫ etse adı, (why is she weeping in pain?)

NARRATOR

Dz ę, Light

CHOIR (In Tłı̨chǫ)

Dz ę (Light)

Gots’ǫ dzę sı̀ Nǫhtsı̨ goghǫnı̀etǫ nı̨htł’è hazǫǫ got‐s’ǫ ayı̨la, (Our Light is the Creator’s love letter to you all)

Deh wek’ak’òò ats’ı̨ı̨t’e, negha dàgots’èwho (We are a river of light dancing for you)

NARRATOR

They’re Light is the Creator’s love letter to us all

CHOIR (in Tłı̨chǫ)

Gots’ǫ dzę sı̀ Nǫhtsı̨ goghǫnı̀etǫ nı̨htł’è hazǫǫ got‐s’ǫ ayı̨la, (Our Light is the Creator’s love letter to you all)

NARRATOR

They are a river of light dancing for us

CHOIR (in Tłı̨chǫ)

Deh wek’ak’òò ats’ı̨ı̨t’e, negha dàgots’èwho (We are a river of light dancing for you)

Dz ę (Light)

NARRATOR

Did you forget? Our Mother wants the best for all of us Why does she have to wake up in pain? Please You have the answers They’ve always been here Harness the water Catch the wind Use the tides Use her gifts for our survival You hold her hands When you laugh Dance Sing Laugh Forgive Family Friends Feast All she wants is to hold your hands Protect her Honour her All she wants is to see you grow together in love as family Our home Our mother One family

If you can smell the northern lights and hear them, that actually means they are too close, so I’ll teach you how to send them away, okay? Don’t be scared now. You can flick your thumbnail against your top teeth.

Or you can clap your hands. Or you can use an old dog chain and spin it around. Or you can sing a love song.

CHOIR (in Tłı̨chǫ)

Eda (Life)

NARRATOR

The Northern Lights dance and pray for you

CHOIR (In Tłı̨chǫ)

Neghah dàgogewho xè yagehtı, (We dance and pray for you)

Eda (Life)

NARRATOR

They thank you for making the impossible possible

CHOIR (In Tłı̨chǫ) Ması̀, asıı̀ wehoèdıle, wehoèdı anela, (We thank you for making the impossible possible) NARRATOR

Mahsi cho (Thank you)

CHOIR (In Tłı̨chǫ)

Kǫ̀ (Fire)

Ti (Water)

Eda (Life)

Negha dàgots’èwhòà dzǫ nı̨ts’ı̨ı̨de (We have come to dance for you)

Negha dàgots’èhwò xe yahts’èh (We dance and pray for you)

Part IV: If love is woe

(Text by Christian Bök, from A Nocture for Eurydice)

Soprano:

Devils avow that, if love is woe

Best then to dwell alone in the cosmos

Chorus:

I saw a river of light

Radiant as gold.

Part V: Magnificat

My soul doth magnify the Lord.

Magnificat

Part VI: Light upon Light, A Song of Islam

(Text by Rahat Kurd)

O Soul in struggle,

seeking peace,

what shines

from the place

of your striving?

O Soul

between pain

and fear suspended,

yearning for release

from all doubt

Pause, gather patience

and courage;

for courage prepares you for light

Noorun ‘ala noor

Noor as samawati wal ‘ard

O Soul untethered,

intent on destruction

on loss uncounted, unsparing

Does the lie you cling to

give comfort,

Does a true glimpse

overwhelm your sight?

to end the war

against yourself —

reflect and turn again

and begin to receive the light

every restless conscience

in soul-wracking plight

each stumbling step marks

your own path to light

light upon light

upon light upon light upon light etc

light without limit

Noorun ‘ala noor

Noor as samawati wal ‘ard

elevating speech

sharpening sight

expanding the heart

light upon light

light ascending,

light suffusing

blood and bones

light pervading

breath, skin, and sense

Light upon light

upon light

Light of the heavens and earth

Noorun ‘ala noor

Noor as samawati wal ‘ard

Rabbi zidni noori

Interlude

(text from Dante’s Paradiso)

Speakers:

And I saw a light in the form of a river, radiant as gold

And from the flowing issued living sparks

A living light

Painted with wonderous blossoming springs

And on every side they entered into flowers

Flashed about me

Like rubies

And I became rekindled

And left me swathed in such a veil of brightness

With new sight

That nothing appeared to me

Circumscribed by gold

Such that no light is so pure

And I saw a light

That my eyes

In the form of a river

Could not have looked upon it

(Sung)

I saw a river of light

(laughter)

Part VII: Three Fires, AGNI, INDRA, SURYA Three Rivers of Light

(Text by Sandeep Bhagwati)

All on earth,

All the air around the earth

All the vast space beyond are a small part,

an atom of the one beyond darkness

Purusha

The First-born, the Ancient, the Bright

Three deities drink from Purusha:

AGNI, the fires that light up the night.

Agni

INDRA, the fire of words that enlighten the mind.

Indra

SURYA, the sun, its invincible might,

Its showers of light give - and take - life.

1. Agni

AGNI O AGNI, keeper of fire

O, be our guide

Surrounded by darkness, Poor and dire at heart

We see wisdom and wealth in your flames Your fiery song makes us strong

See our beautiful pyre O AGNI, O agni

we gaze upon you in its blaze.

Chorus:

Agni, o Agni

Be our guide

2. Indra

O INDRA, come swiftly, surround us

Your fires ignite our mind

Your breezes

Dispel ignorance, With crackling, with flashes

A fire without ashes, Refraction, reflection, diffusion:

Everywhere, INDRA, and nowhere Your light fills the limitless air

3. Surya

Surya, surya etc

SURYA, Sun, everlasting

Yours are the heavenly fires

Surya etc.

Across sunless abysses.

Surya etc.

Shining suns stream your light

Surya etc.

You source of all that is bright, through each glorious day through each glittering night

Generous, confident, radiant.

Let our desires down here

Mirror SURYA'S beautiful fires!

4. SOMA

We have drunk the Soma

For we have drunk SOMA

We have gone far beyond things finite

Let us drink the Soma!

We have gone far beyond things finite

Soma! Agni! Surya! Indra!

Let us sing luminous songs

(I saw a river of light)

Let us drink from the light

(radiant as gold)

We have sung with its fiery tongue

(painted with wondrous blossoming springs and on every side they entered into flowers)

(they entered into flowers like rubies circumscribed with gold)

(and from the flowing issued living sparks)

We live in the light.