The Turban Speaks Read by: Supreet Singh Written by: Inni Kaur

The Turban Speaks For years I’ve kept silent And watched the Khalsa grow I’ve been the head at meetings I’ve been the brunt of jokes. I’ve taken all in stride Never said a word But now the time has come For my voice to be heard. When hearts were filled with terror When tears filled the streams When mothers clutched their daughters When fathers hid in shame. When hope was all gone And despair ruled the land Rose Guru Tegh Bahadur To save the Hindu soul. 2 UNITED SIKHS, First Global Sikh Civil Rights Conference

The Turban Speaks He asked for no help He asked for no fee For He knew what must be done In the age of tyranny. He left behind a wife A son named Gobind Rai A boy without a father What would his future hold. At the tender age of nine He went into seclusion Perhaps to mediate On what lay in his future. This boy became a man A man of great style A man of great courage For the Mughals to reckon with. 3 UNITED SIKHS, First Global Sikh Civil Rights Conference

The Turban Speaks A philosopher, a poet A saint, a solider This man called Gobind Rai Became the hope of all. He battled the forces of evil He instilled a new pride He worshipped with such humility That brought all to their knees. In 1699, He sent out a Call Come my beloved brethren And celebrate Vaishaki With one and all. They came from near and far Punjab was on the move For never had a man Commanded the respect of all. 4 UNITED SIKHS, First Global Sikh Civil Rights Conference

The Turban Speaks On this fateful day He stood before all With a naked sword in hand He asked for a head. With thunder in His voice He repeated the call twice A khatri named Daya Ram Gave his head for no prize. The congregation thinned They ran in fear Some ran to his mother For surely her son had lost reason. He thundered four more times Four heads answered His Call Dharam Das, Mohkam Chand, Himmat Chand, Sahib Chand Fell before His sword. 5 UNITED SIKHS, First Global Sikh Civil Rights Conference

The Turban Speaks A hush fell over the crowd For strange were the events They knew not what was to come From this man called Gobind Rai. But low and behold Before them stood The Beloved Five Dressed in splendid garments Glowing with pride. He prepared the sacred Amrit Baptized his Beloved Five. Gave them the name Singhs And called them His Khalsas. Along with this title Came the Royal “K’s”. To be worn with pride and honor In memory of this day. 6 UNITED SIKHS, First Global Sikh Civil Rights Conference

The Turban Speaks Wherever there is tyranny My Khalsa will rise To protect the weak To honor all mankind. He then took the sacred Amrit From the hands of the Five The Master became a disciple An event unparalleled in history. So great was His glory So great was His reign So great were the sacrifices Of this man called Guru Gobind Singh. How will coming generations view Him This man I call my Guru Will only Five Heads rise To honor His sacrifices. 7 UNITED SIKHS, First Global Sikh Civil Rights Conference

The Turban Speaks My prayer for the young Is one said with love May you find the meaning Of that day in Inni Kaur Fairfield, CT 8 UNITED SIKHS, First Global Sikh Civil Rights Conference