“I Was Dead, I Came Alive” by Rumi is a celebrated work of Persian mystical poetry exploring love, spiritual transformation, awakening and the journey from darkness into light. Presented here in English as part of Persian Poetry After Dark, Rumi’s timeless words are reimagined through cinematic organic deep house, dreamlike electronica and a subtle Persian mystical atmosphere. This English musical adaptation brings the emotional and spiritual intensity of one of the world’s most influential Persian poets into a contemporary musical setting for a new international audience.
- Genre: Cinematic Organic Deep House blended with Dreamlike Electronica & Persian mystical atmosphere
- Music & Lyric Adaptation: Tony Zohari
- Language: English
- Poet: Rumi
- Original Language: Persian
- Themes: Iranian Poetry | Persian Poetry After Dark | In English
Lyric: I Was Dead, I Came Alive
I was dead…
I came alive…
I was weeping…
I became laughter…
The fortune of Love arrived,
And I became an everlasting fortune.
My eyes are satisfied,
My soul is fearless.
I have the courage of a lion,
I became a radiant star.
He said, “You are not mad,
You are not worthy of this house.”
I went and became mad,
Bound in chains of Love.
I was dead, I came alive,
I was weeping, I became laughter.
The fortune of Love arrived,
And I became an everlasting fortune.
I was dead, I came alive,
I was darkness, now I shine.
Through the fire of Love,
I became alive.
He said, “You are not drunk,
Go, you are not of this kind.”
I went and became drunk,
Overflowing with joy.
He said, “You are not slain,
You are not soaked in delight.”
Before the face that gives life,
I was slain and cast down.
He said, “You are too clever,
Drunk on imagination and doubt.”
I became a fool,
I became bewildered,
Torn away from everything.
I was dead, I came alive,
I was weeping, I became laughter.
The fortune of Love arrived,
And I became an everlasting fortune.
He said, “You have become a candle,
The qibla of this gathering.”
I am no gathering,
I am no candle,
I became scattered smoke.
He said, “You are a sheikh,
A leader, a guide before others.”
I am no sheikh,
I am no leader,
I became a servant to your command.
You are the fountain of the sun,
I am the shade of the willow.
When you struck me upon the head,
I became lowly and melting.
The light of the soul touched my heart,
My heart opened and split apart.
My heart wove a new silk robe,
I became the enemy of these worn-out rags.
I was a servant,
A servant of servants.
I became a king,
I became a lord.
Let the dark earth give thanks,
Bending before the turning wheel.
Through your gaze,
Through your turning,
I became receptive to light.
I was dead, I came alive,
I was weeping, I became laughter.
The fortune of Love arrived,
And I became an everlasting fortune.
I was Venus, I became the moon,
I became a hundred turning skies.
I was Joseph,
And now I give birth to Joseph.
It is from you,
O renowned moon.
Look within me,
And within yourself.
Through the effect of your laughter,
I became a laughing garden.
I was dead, I came alive,
I was weeping, I became laughter.
The fortune of Love arrived,
And I became an everlasting fortune.
I was dead…
I came alive…
I was darkness…
I became light…
Be like a moving chess piece,
Silent, yet entirely a tongue.
For through the face
Of that King of the world,
I became blessed…
I became full of fortune.
About Rumi
Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi (1207–1273), widely known simply as Rumi, was one of the greatest poets and mystical thinkers of the Persian literary tradition. Born in Balkh and later settling in Konya, he devoted his life to exploring love, spiritual transformation, longing and the search for union with the divine.
His poetry, written primarily in Persian, continues to resonate across cultures and generations. His encounter with the mystic Shams of Tabriz profoundly influenced his spiritual life and poetic expression, inspiring some of his most powerful verses.
In this project, Rumi’s words are reimagined in English through contemporary music. “I Was Dead, I Came Alive” explores the transformative power of love at the heart of his poetry—moving from darkness and sorrow toward awakening, joy and light.
, widely known simply as Rumi, was one of the greatest poets and mystical thinkers of the Persian literary tradition.){kind=link}