Joan Lincoln
Mrs. Joan Lincoln was born in Seattle, Washington, USA, studied music at Mills College in Oakland, California, and, a few decades later, at the University of Abidjan in the Ivory Coast, West Africa. Between 1970 and 1993 she and her family pioneered to France, the Central African Republic, Cameroon and the Ivory Coast. In 1993 she and her husband were invited to serve at the Bahá'í World Centre in Haifa, Israel. The Lincolns have three children and five grand children.
The original recording of "Pioneer" was done in 1979, and was subsequently published in cassette form by "La Pensee baha'ie" under the auspices of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Switzerland. As there are no more copies currently available for sale, and because of recurring requests for the songs, the music has now been converted to digital format from one of the old cassettes. The quality of the sound is less than ideal, but the spirit of the songs lives on. The original cassette jacket stated: "This tape is dedicated, as is the song 'Strong Brilliant Sunshine', to all the pioneers currently in the field of service, and to all those who cherish in their inmost heart the longing to one day go forth to serve their Lord." This was followed by the quotation:
"O ye homeless and wanderers in
the Path of God! Prosperity,
contentment and freedom, however much
desired and conducive to the gladness of
the human heart, can in no wise compare
with the trials of homelessness and
adversity in the pathway of God. For
such exile and banishment are blessed by
the Divine Favour, and are surely
followed by the Mercy of Providence.
The joy of tranquility in one’s home,
and the sweetness of freedom from all
cares shall pass away, whilst the
blessing of homelessness shall endure
forever, and its far-reaching results
shall be made manifest."
- Selections from the Writings of
'Abdu'l-Bahá
The songs are in English, French, Sango (the national language of the Central African Republic) and Persian. The composers are as follows:
- Garden Song: Joan Lincoln
- Gonda: Robert Gbaguene
- Pioneering Song: Joan Lincoln
- Give Your Life to Bahá’u’lláh: Joan Lincoln
- Durudeh Bi Payene Ma : unknown
- Hush Little Child: Joan Lincoln
- Ami: Joan Lincoln
- Principes d’unite: Gondamovo Francois
- Citoyens du Monde: Phil Lucas
- Ita: Robert Gbaguene
- Batissons: Unknown
- Anges: Joan Lincoln
- Chers amis baha’is: Francois Gondamovo
- La foi baha’ie: Joan Lincoln
- Donneras-tu ta vie ?: Joan Lincoln
Voice and Guitar: Joan Lincoln
Flute: Wendy Evans
Bass Guitar: Make Lang
Drums: Wayne Welsh
Special thanks to Matt Hitti who helped see that these songs once again became available to those who might wish to hear them.