From Gustav Holst’s Rig Veda.
Performed live at the final performance of Nature, on October 8, 2018, in First Presbyterian Church, Greensboro.

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 th’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 splendor.

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.

Cleansing waters flow ye on,
Hasten and help us.
Dance in the bright beams of the sun.
Obey the ruler of the sky
Who dug the path for you to run.

(Transcribed from Sanskrit by the composer.)