Just outside Baghdad in the spring of 1863, Baha'u'llah, the Prophet/Founder of the Baha'i Faith was readying to depart on another of series of banishments the governamental authorities had ordered. In the previous few days, Baha'u'llah had announced that He was the Promised One foretold in a the Holy Books of the past. That with His appearance, and following the dispersal of His Teachings over the planet, the long-awaited Kingdom of God on earth would progressively manifest itself from this point on.
On this particular day he was to leave and was gifted a rare and beautiful roan stallion named "Saudi" to use on the initial stage of the journey. This gift was from a very important and influential person of Baghdad, though not a follower of Baha'u'llah, greatly admired and respected Him. The horse was a favorite of this man, well known for the high quality of the horses he kept.
The song is written from the perspective of "Saudi." Where Saudi had been accorded the highest honors and praised as a king among horses, I imagine his response when he came into the presence of One Who is truly the King of Kings.
The Players:
Philip Patenaude - Lead Guitar
Bob Ryan - Rythm Guitar and Vocals
Recorded on the fly during a jam in 2006 at Summerland Sounds Recording Studios
(LYRICS)
Words & Music by Bob Ryan (C)2005
All the city knew: I was the king
All would bow down to my mane
There's no finer steed in the city
I'm a roan stallion, and Saudi is my name
Now, I'd been chosen as a gift one day
And this lucky man, I'd yet to see
Then I heard this One –
He was the King of kings
I feared to find out what he'd think of me
But His eyes shone like the open sky!
And my heart – their heavenly home
And I knew, for all of my glory and fame
That this king bowed to the King of kings
As He mounted up, with grace, upon my back
Many wept and lay down at my hoofs
The King of kings, He called out for unity
As the gift to send us on our way
The procession did wind its way
through village and town
With companions and soldiers,
and people lining the ways
For one hundred and ten days
we songbirds of God
Basked in the showers of the Ancient of Days
All the city knew: I was the king
All would bow down to my mane
There's no finer steed in the city
I'm a roan stallion, and Saudi is my name
Saudi and the King of Kings
