The song "Khalsa Sacred Khalsa" was written in the eighties while I was living in Los Angeles running Khalsa Family Daycare out of my home, providing daycare for Sikh families in a Montessori setting at the parents' request and with Yogi Bhajan's blessing.
During those years I was also blessed to attend all of Yogi Bhajan's classes and be immersed in his teachings. Khalsa Sacred Khalsa was born from that immersion. The hand motions, a celestial communication meditation for children, were developed with help from the children and its music was composed by Shakta Kaur, a masterful creator of children's CDs.
CHORUS Khalsa sacred Khalsa we shine the Light of God. Khalsa sacred Khalsa, that is what we are. (2x)
Children stand in a circle with their arms arched up 60 degrees from the floor and twirl around slowly two times per repetition of the Chorus or sway from side to side. In-between verses the Chorus may be sung while walking in a circle holding hands.
1 When we are afraid of the Unknown Hands over eyes.
We lose our power Slowly come into a squatting position.
We are alone. Squatting with hand over the eyes.
When we love the Unknown Slowly rise while raising arms upwards.
We know God’s Power Stand with the arms embracing the heavens.
We have a home. Lower arms to hold hands on “home” and walk around the circle.
2. Bana Khalsa Bana, sacred for all see. Children gently sway from side to side while spreading the skirts of their kurtas with their hands, or with arms lowered and fingers widespread.
Bani Guru’s Bani Each child reaches his or her hands up to the heavens with palms pressed together in Prayer Pose.
Is the sacredness in me. Bring hands down to heart level in Prayer Pose.
3 Simran Palms in Prayer Pose while twisting to face left and right.
And Seva Hands face forwards and move in circles from left to right as though washing a window.
Are sacred just to do. Continue as though washing a window.
In this way we dwell on Truth Hands are folded one over the other on the heart.
And serve the God in you. Extend the arms forward, palms up.
4 Fooling with our sacredness Wobble arms and legs.
Is the worst that we can do Point and shake the index finger up and down
Make your altar sacredness Hands in Prayer Pose at the heart.
And all will come to you! Arms reach up at a 60 degree angle as in the Chorus.
