One of the most celebrated Iranian ballads, Morghe Sahar (Bird of Dawn) is widely regarded as the unofficial anthem for Iranian freedom. Its lyrics were conceived in response to the Iranian Constitutional Revolution of the early 20th-century, but present-day Iranians sing it as a rallying cry against Iran’s tyrannical government—hoping that one day a bird of dawn will arise from the darkness of the night.
My arrangement is a tribute to the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, and dedicated to the memory of Jina Mahsa Amini. By adding harmony to a traditionally monophonic song, I sought to shroud the melody in a mournful veil, reflecting the sorrow of an oppressed people.
Note: The recording below is the mezzo-soprano version.