An "Oldie" for the CBC ballad challenge
Story behind the song
Author; anonymous
Circa; 1350 BC Cuneiform tablets
Interpretation by Prof. Anne Draffkorn Kilmer
professor of Assyriology, University of California,
and a curator at the Lowie Museum of Anthropology at Berkeley.
"The Oldest Song in the World"
In the early 1950's a 3,400 year old Cuneiform tablet was excavated near ancient Ugarit, Syria.
This tablet proved to be the oldest preserved song with notation in the world.
In 1972 Prof. Anne Kilmer developed an interpretation of the text that formed a complete cult hymn with lyric & music.
The lyric, as sung in ancient Sumerian, matched the music sylable by sylable, and included harmonies.
Ode to Inanna
The goddess Inanna was the most important female deity of ancient Sumeria.
Inanna represented the force of sexual reproduction and the power of the passions so incited.
"The Queen of Heaven, She who provides life and sustenance to the land",
in this aspect it was Inanna who yearly reunited with her consort Dumuzi to restore life and fertility in the land.
This cycle, known as The Sacred Marriage, was a common theme of songs sung in her praise.
Notes;
The rhythm of the original song is unknown.
The original score is represented by piano & flute in the 1st 1:20 of this composition.
The layered cello, flutes, pipes, and choral voices are my own creation, as is the extended arrangement.
Lyrics
I say, "Hail!" to the Holy One who appears in the heavens!
I say, "Hail!" to the Holy Priestess of Heaven!
I say, "Hail!" to Inanna, Great Lady of Heaven!
Holy Torch! You fill the sky with light!
You brighten the day at dawn!
I say, "Hail!" to Inanna, Great Lady of Heaven!
Awesome Lady of the Annuna Gods!
Crowned with great horns,
You fill the heavens and earth with light!
I say, "Hail!" to Inanna, First Daughter of the Moon!
Mighty, majestic, and radiant,
You shine brilliantly in the evening,
You brighten the day at dawn,
You stand in the heavens like the sun and the moon,
Your wonders are known both above and below,
To the greatness of the Holy Priestess of Heaven,
To you, Inanna, I sing!
Sumerian hymn quoted from "Inanna Queen of Heaven" by Wolkstein and Kramer.