This is a very difficult and beautiful chant that requires practice and development to navigate the varying time signatures. It can be done in kirtan, but because the percussionists have to follow the twists and turns of the varying time signatures, ideally it would be reserved for adept kirtan players who can follow those meters and play rhythms that fit that structure. In the Cosmic Chants book (pp. 8–9) you'll see multiple melody variations on the lyric "For Thee I pine." There are also two labeled optional variations: a) on "my mind," and b) an alternate ending on "leave me not!" The book also gives "(Ma,)" as an alternate for "Lord."

Song Form

A Do not dry the ocean of my love with the fires of my desires, with the fires of my restlessness.

B For Thee I pine, for Thee I weep.

C I'll cry no more, Thou mine evermore!

D Thee I find behind the fringe of my mind. x2

E Hide no more, Lord, hide no more! Leave me not, Lord, leave me no more!

Notes

• The meter changes often through the form, moving among 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 and 5/4.

• E ("Hide no more, Lord, hide no more! Leave me not, Lord, leave me no more!") is a nice section to repeat at the end.

• From the end you can also jump back to B ("For Thee I pine, for Thee I weep") and play from there out to the end, or repeat B multiple times for emphasis.

Listen to SRF Recordings

Audio Recordings

• Do Not Dry the Ocean of My Love (Bro. Kamalananda), from the album The Ocean of Love
  Spotify · Apple Music · Tidal

• Do Not Dry the Ocean of My Love (Paramahansa Yogananda), from the album Songs of My Heart
  Spotify · Apple Music · Tidal