Songs and Hymns of Arcanea

Lyrics for the Creative Soul

"What cannot be said may yet be sung. What the mind resists, the melody carries." — The Song Keeper's Inscription

Introduction: On Singing the Creative Life

These songs have been sung in Arcanea since the earliest ages. Some are hymns for ceremony. Some are work songs for the studio. Some are laments for hard times. Some are celebrations for achievement.

They are meant to be sung—alone or together, aloud or whispered. The words alone carry meaning, but the singing carries them deeper.

If you have a melody, use it. If not, find one or speak the words with rhythm. The music matters less than the intention.

Part One: Morning Songs

The Maker's Dawn

Sung when beginning the day's work

The sun rises, I rise with it. The light returns, I return with it. What was dark becomes visible. What was silent awaits the word.

Refrain: I am the maker, making. I am the voice, speaking. I am the hand, shaping. This day I create.

The canvas waits, I come to it. The page is blank, I fill it. What was potential becomes actual. What was dream becomes real.

Refrain

I do not know what I will make. I only know I will make. Let the making be worthy. Let the making be true.

Refrain

Invocation to the Source

Sung before beginning any significant work

Source of all making, Fire that does not consume, Light that does not blind, Hear me.

I am small. The work is large. I am weak. The work demands strength.

Flow through me. Not for my glory but for the work's completion. Not for my name but for the truth the work carries. Use me. I am willing.

I release my grip. I offer my hands. I surrender my will. Create through me.

Source of all making, Let it be so.

The First Step Song

Sung when facing the beginning of a new project

One step. Only one. Not the journey— The first step.

One mark. Only one. Not the masterpiece— The first mark.

One word. Only one. Not the story— The first word.

Refrain: Begin, begin, begin. The beginning is not the end. Begin, begin, begin. The first step is not the last.

I do not need to see the end. I only need to take this step. I do not need to know the whole. I only need to make this mark.