the classical Sumerian corpus of old short musical services on which the
later complex liturgies were based.(162) The title, _árabu-(ģu) árabu-(ģu)
múzu kúrra munmállašu záe alménna_, arranged in seven dactyls, does not
appear in the catalogue of old songs given in the Assyrian list, IV Raw.
53 Col. III. Since the greater part of the psalm consists in an address of
the mother goddess to Enlil on behalf of Nippur, the composition is
defined as an adoration of “my mother,”(163) an epithet applied to Innini
by the singers in most liturgies. The psalm begins with twelve lines sung
by the choir and addressed to Enlil. They then in lines 13-15 introduce
Innini whom they represent in discourse before Enlil in lines 16-47. This
part of the song service contains refrains characteristic of public
worship. Theologically the text illustrates one of the most profound
principles of Sumerian religion, the sympathy and concern of the virgin
mother for mankind.(164) The great daily services of the standard prayer
books represent her as a _mater dolorosa_ and she with Tammuz shares the
vicissitudes of mortal life. Our text is unique and noteworthy for one
salient fact. It illustrates the scenes so common on Babylonian seals,
where the mother goddess stands in intercession before the god, with one
or both hands raised in supplication and the left foot advanced as though
about to set it on the paved approach to the throne of the deity.
1. _arâ-bu-(ģu) arâ-bu-(ģu) mu-zu kur-ra mu-un-ma-al-la-šú_
1. Oh bird _arabu, arabu_,(165) thou art he whose name is proclaimed in
the world.
2. _za-e al-me-en-na_
3. _d.__Mu-ul-lil arâ-bu-(ģu) mu-zu kur-ra mu-un-ma-al-al-la-šú_
3. Oh Enlil, _arabu_-bird, thou art he whose name is proclaimed in the
world.
4. _za-e al-me-en-na_
5. _d.__Mu-ul-lil šag-sud-du e-ne-em zid- da_
5. Enlil of unsearchable heart, of faithful word.
6. _gú ki-ma-al_(_166_)_ e-ne-em di- di_(_167_)
6. He that bends the neck, that speaks the word.
7. _mu-zu kur-ra mu-un-ma-al-la-šú za-e al-me-en- na_
7. Thou art he whose name is proclaimed in the world.
8. _mu-zu kur-ra mu-un-ma-al-la-šú_
8. At thy name which is proclaimed in the world,
9. _dúg-ga-zu kur-ra ám-da-ma-al-la-šú_
9. At thy discourse which is proclaimed in the world,
10. _taģ-a-zu kur-ra ám-da-ma-al-la-šú_
10. At thy aid which is wrought in the world,
11. _uru-me-a_(_168_)_ an ní-bi nam-dúb ki ní-bi nam- sīg_
11. In my city heaven trembles of itself, earth quakes of itself.(169)
12. _nibru-(ki)-a an ní-bi nam-dúb ki ní-bi nam- sīg_
12. In Nippur the heaven trembles of itself, earth quakes of itself.
13. _ama mu-gíg-gi ama nu-bar-ra ama-mu ni-mi-ni-in-gí-gí_
13. The mother virgin, the mother courtesan, my mother began discourse.
14. _d.__[...]-e ga-ša-an urú-bar-ra-ra_(_170_)
14. She the divine ..., queen of the villages,
15. ... _ni-mi-ni-in-gí- ... gí_
15. ... discoursed.
16. ... _ku-a-zu- ... dé_
16. When in ... thou dwellest,
17. ... _-la ku-gar-ra_(_171_)_-zu-dé_
17. When in ... thou makest thy abode,
18. _[__d.__Nin-lil-da?]_(_172_)_ ga-ša-an keš-(ki)-a-ge_
18. With Ninlil (?) queen of Keš
19. ... _ģen mu-e-da-ab-tar-ri_
19. ... thou decreest.
...(173)
20. ... _ge me-ri-mu-šú_(_174_)_ nu-GÁ-e_
20. [As I was ...] my foot I lifted not.(175)
21. _[a-a-mu lu-]lu-mu-ùr_(_176_)_ su-din-ģu ab-ba-ge_
21. To my father, my benefactor, as a _sudin_-bird of the sea,(177)
22. _me-ri-mu-šú nu-GA-e_
22. My foot I lifted not.
23. _d.__Mu-ul-lil-]-e šag-sud-da_
23. [To Enlil of] unsearchable heart,
24. _[ù-mu-un e-ne]-em zi-da_
24. [Lord] of faithful word,
25. _[gú ki-ma-al e-]ne-em di-di_
25. That bends the neck, that speaks the word,
26. ... _ge me-ri-mu-šú nu-GA-e_
26. [As I was ...] my foot I lifted not.
27. _[__d.__Mu-ul-lil ?]-e me-ri-mu-šú ù_(_178_)_-GA-e_
27. [But unto Enlil] I would lift my foot.
28. ... _-ra ga-ám-ši-rá_
28. Unto ... verily I will go;
29. _[me-ri]-mu-šú ga-mu-ni-ib-GA_
29. My foot I will lift.
30. _[a-a-mu]lu-lu-mu-ùr ga-ám-ši-rá_
30. To my father, my benefactor, verily I will go;
31. _me-ri-mu-šú ga-mu-ni-ib-GA_
31. My foot I will lift.
32. _d.__Mu-ul-lil-ra šu-mu-šú ga-mu-ni-ib-GA_
32. Unto Enlil my hand I will raise;
33. _me-ri-mu-šú ga-mu-ni-ib-GA_
33. my foot I will lift.
34. _me-e __d.__Mu-ul-lil-ra um-ma dé-til_
35. ... _ṭu_(_179_)_-mu-na-da- ab- dúg_
34. I unto Enlil will say, “May the mother live.”
36. _a-a-mu lu-lu-mu-ùr ab-ba dé-til_
37. ... _ṭu-mu-na-da-ab- dúg_
36. Unto my father, my benefactor, I will say, “May the father live.”
38. _gù-gù gù-si-di ṭu-mu-na-ám-mar_
38. Words which set aright all things I will say.
39. _urú-me-a ama dumu dé-im-me_
40. ... _dumu ama dé-im-me_
39. In my city may the mother hail her son, may the son hail his
mother.(180)
41. _nibru-(ki)-a ama dumu-dé-im-me_
41. In Nippur may the mother hail her son,
42. ... _dumu ama dé-im-me_
42. may the son hail his mother.
43. _ùz_(_181_)_-e síl-bi ģe-im-ši-ib-še-gi-en_
43. To ewe and her lamb may he be propitious.
44. _e-ne-em __d.__Mu-ul-lil-lá UZ-dé_(_182_)_ máš-bi_
45. ... _ģe-en-ši-ib-še-gi-en_
44. May the word of Enlil be propitious to the she-goat and her kid.
46. _d.__Mu-ul-lil-ra uru-ni še-ib nibru-(ki)_
46. For Enlil, his city, brick-walled
47. _ki-bi ga-mu-na-ab-gí_
47. Nippur, unto its place I will restore.”
48. _ní-na-teg ní-na-teg ama-mu ní-na teg_
48. She offers devotion, she offers devotion, my mother offers devotion.
LAMENTATION ON THE PILLAGE OF LAGASH BY THE ELAMITES. 2154 (NO. 6)
This neatly written but seriously damaged single column tablet carried
when complete about fifty-five lines. In style the liturgical lamentation
has a striking resemblance to the lamentation on the invasion of Sumer by
the people of Gutium, published in the author’s _Sumerian Liturgical
Texts_, 120-124. The same refrain, “How long? oh my destroyed city and my
destroyed temple, sadly I wail,” distinguishes both compositions.(183)
Other lines are common to both threnodies. The contents are similar to the
lamentation on Lagash published in _Cuneiform Texts_ of the British
Museum, Vol. XV 22, of which ZIMMERN has published a variant VAT. 617 Rev.
II 10-42, in his _Sumerische Kultleider_. A translation of the British
Museum text will be found in the author’s _Sumerian and Babylonian
Psalms_, p. 284, an edition which can now be improved.
1. _a-a_[...]
1. Father [
2. _? dingir_[...]
2. ...
3. _a uru-gul-la é-[gul-la-mu gíg-ga-bi im-mi_]
3. How long? oh my destroyed city, my destroyed temple, sadly I wail.(184)
4. _ud-ba enim ud-dam bi_-[...]
4. At that time the word like a storm ...
5. _enim __d.__En-lil-lá_ [...]
5. The word of Enlil ...
6. _d.__En-lil galu nam-tar_ [...]
6. Enlil who the fate of ... _determined_.
7. _d.__En-lil-li nim_-[...]
7. Enlil ...
8. _d.__Mà-mà_(185) _dumugu_ [...]
8. Mama the princely son ...
9. _d.__Nin-mar-(ki)-ra-ge gú_[...]
9. Ninmar ...
10. _azag dāg-zagin __giš__má-gal-gal-la bal-[...]_
10. The holy one who lapis lazuli in great ships ...
11. _nin nig-ga-šù igi-[...]-ti-la a azag pi-el_ ...
11. The queen ... humiliates ...
12. _nin-e KA.? gim NE-a im-da-ra?_
12. The queen ...
13. _ki lagaš-(ki) nim-ki šu-ni-a im-ma-ši-in-gí_
13. The land of Lagash he abandoned unto the hand of Elam.
14. _ud-bi-a nin-e ... ud-da-ni sá-nam-ga_(_186_)_-mu-ni-ib-dúg_
14. At that time his wrathful word verily attained the queen.
15. _d.__Ba-ú galu-sukal-lu-gim ud-da-ni sá- nam-ga-mu-ni-ib-dúg_
15. His wrathful word attained unto the divine Bau even as a messenger.
16. _me-li-e-a ud-dé šu-ni-a im-ma-ši-in-gí_
16. Woe is me, the spirit of wrath into her hand he entrusted.
17. _ud uru gul-gul-e šu-ni-a im-ma-ši-in-gí_
17. The spirit of wrath that destroys the city into her hand he entrusted.
18. _ud é gul-gul-e šu-ni-a im-ma-ši-in-gí_
18. The spirit of wrath that destroys the temple into her hand he
entrusted.
19. _[uru?] __d.__Dumu-zi-abzu-ge-ta ki nir-ša-ki-ba-ge im_(_187_)_-ma
ba-an-teg_(_188_)
19. In the city(?) of Tammuz of the sea, the place of _wailing_ ... terror
it caused.
20. ... _nir-šag-(ki) uru nam-šibir-ka ni-ḳar-ḳar-ge izi-ba-ab-dúg_
20. The city ... _nirsag_, city of ... with fire it consumed.
21. ... _uru(?)-ni Ninā-(ki)-a kur-ri ba-ab-gar_(_189_)
21. ... of her city Ninā it seized away to the mountains.
22. _[Si]rar_(_190_)_-(ki) ki-dúr kenag-gà-ni ģul-gál-e ba-ab-šub_
22. Sirar her beloved habitation an evil one has overthrown.
23. _[a uru]-gul-la é-gul-la-mu gíg-ga-bi_(_191_)_ im-me_
23. How long? my destroyed city, my destroyed temple, sadly I wail.
24. _[gè-pàr]_(_192_)_ azag nam-en-na-ba šu-ba-e-lá-lal_
24. Of the holy “Dark Chamber” the priestly rites are suspended.
25. _[en]-bi gè-pàr-ta ba-da-an-ḳar ki-erim-e ba-ab-KA(du)_(_193_)
25. Its high priest from the “Dark Chamber” has been taken and unto the
land of the foe has gone.
26. ... _KU-si-na __d.__Nannar-ka da-dugud ba-ši-in-du_
26.
27. ... _gan kaskal-gid __d.__Nannar-ka tùr-dugud_ ...
27.
28. ... _ḳar-ra-gim íb-ri ba-ra_- ...
28.
29. ... _gim íb-ri ba-an-de i-im-gul-gul-lu-ne_(_194_)
29. ... they destroyed.
30. ... _azag-ga-bi im-zí-ir-zí-ri_(_195_)_-e-ne ... -e-ne_
30. Of the ... its holy ... they shattered and ...
31. _[a uru-gul]-la é-gul-la-mu gíg-ga-bi im-me_
31. How long? oh my destroyed city and my destroyed temple, sadly I wail.
32. _[gè-pàr] azag nam-en-na-ba šu-ba-e-lá-lal_
32. Of the holy “Dark Chamber” the priestly rites are suspended.
33. _[en]-bi gè-pàr-ta ba-da-an-ḳar ki-erim-e ba- ab- du_
33. Its high priest from the “Dark Chamber” has been taken and unto the
land of the foe has gone.
34. ... _gid-da-bi[...]a-nir ba-an-da-di_
34.
35. ... _-bi nu gud-du sag me-te-a-áš li-be-íb-gál_
35.
36. ... _KA íb-bi ba-ra-an-kád_(_196_)
36.
37. ... _a ... a-ri-a-e ba-da-ab-lal_
37. ... has bound with him(?)
38. ... _ka lù-erím-e ba-an_-?
38. The ... of the ... the foe has ...
39. ... _-da(?)-ab-ag_
39.
40. _é ... -sug-ga ba-an-dū_
40.
41. _ki ... LU a-ri tùr-dugud-gim ba-gul_
41. ... like a ruined cattle stall has been destroyed.
42. _dingir Nin [...] mà [...] gĭr kúr ba-ra-an-ku_
42. As for the goddess Nin ... her ... the foe has set his foot.(197)
43. _d.__Nin-lí-ga-ge im ... na er-ni-šéš-šéš_
43. Ninliga ... weeps bitterly.
44. _a uru-gul-la é-gul-la-mu gíg-ga-bi im-me_
44. How long? oh my destroyed city and my destroyed temple, sadly I wail.
45. _gè-pàr-azag nam-en-na-ba_(_198_)_ šu-ba-e-lá-[lal]_
45. Of the holy “Dark Chamber” the priestly rites are suspended.
46. _en-bi gè-pàr-ta ba-[da-an-ḳar ki-erim-e ba-ab-KA(du)]_
46. Its high priest from the “Dark Chamber” has been taken and unto the
land of the foe has gone.
47. _d.__Nin-a-zu-ge_ ...
47. Ninazu(199) ...
48. _d.__Nin-ģar-sag_ ...
48. Ninharsag ...
49. _tu-(ģu)-gim_ ...
49. Like a dove ...
50. _a uru-gul-la é-gul-la-mu gíg-ga-bi im-me_
50. How long? oh my destroyed city and my destroyed temple, sadly I wail.
...
...(200)
LAMENTATION TO INNINI ON THE SORROWS OF ERECH. 13859 (POEBEL NO. 26)
This well preserved single column tablet is published by POEBEL in PBS. V
26. The composition reflects the standard theological ideas found in the
canonical psalms and liturgies. The mother goddess Innini is represented
as a divine mother wailing for the misery of her city and her people. The
calamity consists in the pillage of the city and its holy places by a
foreign invader, who is repeatedly compared to an ox. Like the ordinary
psalms of public service the singers abruptly introduce the goddess
speaking in the first person as in lines 16; 18-20; 33-4. But the
lamentation does not have refrains and at the end the style approaches
nearly that of a prayer. The tablet also bears no liturgical note at the
end. For these reasons and because of the general impression which the
lines leave with the present interpreter, he classifies this text as the
product of a scholastic liturgist of the Ur or Isin period whose work was
not incorporated into the corpus of the official breviary.
OBVERSE
1. _zabar aga-[zu?] im-gūr-gūr-ri_
1. Oh pure one thy(?) crown overawes.
2. _til-igi-da_(_201_)_-zu ... im-bi-bi-ri_
2. Thy proceeding arrow scatters the....
3. _zíd_(_202_)_-gu-šig suģur-sū-lal (ģa)-da ... -kùr_....
3. Meal of the ... bean to the beared skate-fish thou givest to eat.
4. _eg ģa sĭg eg-eg ģa sŭ-lum-ma-gim im-bul-_[...]—
4. She that gives fish to the stream, in the streams fish (as numerous) as
dates she causes to dart about.
5. _gud-dam ra e-sir unug-(ki)-ga-ge šár-ám mu-na-ab(?)- ... uš_
5. Rushing like an ox in the street of Erech like a multitude(?) he
followed(203)
6. _šár-ra giš-KU-A_(_204_)_ mu-na-an-dúr-ru-ne-eš_
6. Multitudinously in the habitations they dwelled.
7. _šattam-a-ni lugal gab-gál_(_205_)_ ki-gub-bu-ne ba-ra-è_
7. Her precentor,(206) the defender king, whither they go, went up.
8. _ugnim-e igi-im- ma- an- sĭg_
8. The hosts of peoples she beholds.
9. _nar-e li-du-a šu-i-ni-in-gí ŭb_(_207_)_ šu-na be-in-šub_
9. The singer refuses to chant and from his hand has thrown the drum.
10. _ni_(_208_)_-nag-a-zu ni-nag-a-zu_
10. Thou drinkest not; thou drinkest not.
11. _a_(_209_)_ nu-e-nag amaš-zu um-mi-ni-nag_
11. Water thou drinkest not, but thy sheepfolds drink.
12. _ni-nag-a-zu ni-nag-a-zu_
12. Thou drinkest not; thou drinkest not.
13. _kaš nu-e-nag ùš_(_210_)_-zu um-mu-ni-nag_
13. Beer thou drinkest not, but thy protégés drink.
14. _gud-dam e_(_211_)_ e-sir unug-(ki)-ga-ge šár-ám ma-ra-mi-ù-uš_
14. Like an ox going forth in the streets of Erech like a multitude(?) he
pursues thee.
15. _šar-ra-ám giš-KU-A ma-ra-dúr-ru-ne-eš_
15. In multitudes they have taken up their abodes in the habitations.
16. _mèn_(_212_)_ a-na-ag-en sal-e mà-a ma-an-dúg-ga sal-un-ne_(_213_)_
mèn-ne-en_
16. As for me what shall I do? I who have bestowed care. A sacred devotee
I am.
17. _gud-dam e ib-tag-ra be-in-ra ni-zu_(_214_)_ e-ne-ib-uš_
17. Coming forth like an ox, _hastening in destructive fury_ he came; even
thee thyself he pursued.
18. _šar-úr á nam-ur-sag-gà-mu šu-nu-um-ma-ti_
18. The _šar-ur_ weapon, arm of my heroic power I have taken not in my
hand.
19. _é ģallab-mà a-gil-zu_(_215_)_-bi dal-la mi-ni-gí_(_216_)
19. Of my temple in Hallab its treasures he has hidden far away.
20. _giš-dal é-an-na pa-ba mi-ni-in-kud_
20. Of the _tallu_(217) of Eanna its _PA_ he broke off.
21. _gud-dam sil-šú im-ma-na-ra-è_
21. Like an ox he came up against thee on the highways.
22. _gud-dam e e-sir unu-(ki)-ga-ge šár-ra mu-ni-in-gaz_
22. Like an ox going forth in the streets of Erech he slaughtered
multitudes(?).
23. _šár-ra giš-KU-A-a-na mu-ni-in-dīg_
23. Multitudes in their habitations he caused to die.
24. _giš-ig ká-gal-la im-ma-an-gŭr-gŭr_
24. The doors of the city gate he shattered.
25. _a-tuģ_(_218_)_-na-ka ... im-ma-an-è_
25. Her defender he caused to go forth,
26. _šu-PEŠ_(_219_)_ dumu šu-PEŠ __d.__Innini-ge_
26. The fisherman, the son fisherman of Innini.
27. _šen-urudu mu-na-an-bar-ri-ia-dúg_(_220_)
27. The copper vessels he scattered.
28. _gud-dam ra ... im-ma-an-ra-aģ_
28. Hastening like an ox he has wrought demolition.
29. _gud-dam e er-im-ma-an-šub_(_221_)_ sîg-sîg-ni-mà-mal_(_222_)
29. Coming forth like an ox tears he has caused to fall and misery he
caused to be.
30. _d.__Innini zig_(_223_)_-mu sum-ma-ab_
30. Oh Innini, grant me favor.
31. _gud kur-ra ga-mu-ra-ab-sum tùr-zu ga-mu-ra-ah-lu_(_224_)
31. Oxen of the mountains I will give thee; thy stables I will enrich for
thee.
32. _udu ... kur-ra ... ga-mu-ra-ab-sum amaš-zu ga-mu-ra-ab-lu_
32. Sheep of the mountains I will give thee; thy sheepfolds I will enrich
for thee.
33. _azag __d.__Innini-ge mu-na-ni-íb-gí-gí_(_225_)
33. Holy Innini replied:—
34. _a-šag ģallab-(ki)-a dúr-gar be-e-gar-ra e-ku_(_226_)_ ni-nad-ba_
34. “In the plains of Hallab thou shalt make thy abode where the people
repose.”
35. _ama-ba_(_227_)_ ... gĭr(?) ... ģa-ra-ab-túg-e balag-al_(_228_)_
ģu-mu-ra-ab-bi_
35. May their hosts _attend_(?) thee and proclaim to thee on lyre and
harp(?)
36. _d.__Innini nam-ur-sag-[zu]_(_229_)_ ga-ám-dúg_
36. Oh Innini, I will rehearse thy valor.
37. _zag-sal-zu ... dug-ga-ám_
37. It is good to sing thy praise.
LITURGICAL HYMN TO SIN. 8097 (NO. 7)
This liturgical composition consists of two melodies each designated by
the rubric _sagarram_, “It is a _sagar_.” The entire service is sung to
the _tigû_, a kind of flute. In the first melody of fifteen lines the
choir chant the glory of the moon god and his city Ur. The second melody
of twenty-four lines is apparently an address of the earth god Enlil to
his son the moon god. This melody must remain obscure as long as the
recurring liturgical phrase _áb-mu-ba-ši-in-dib_ is unexplained.
....
....
5. [...]_-ni éš uri-ki mu-šú ba-an-sá_
5. His city(?) the abode of Ur as a name he named.
6. _en ud-sud-du-ge uru-ni-ta_
6. As lord unto eternal days in his city,
7. _d.__Zu-en-e kidur_(_230_)_ ba-ni-in-gar_
7. The god Sin he(231) caused to abide.
8. _uri-ki uru šag-gi-pad-da-na_
8. In Ur the city which his heart has chosen
9. _è gud-gim ub-im-me_
9. The temple like a strong bull calls unto the regions(?)(232)
10. _lugal-mu ... sá-rin-na-ni_(_233_)
10. Of my king, may his net(?)
11. _ki-maģ ki-kal-kal ģe-en-na-nam-ma-ám_
11. Be upon tomb and ruins.
12. _d.__Zu-en-e uru kenag-gà-ni_
12. Of Sin, may his beloved city,
13. _eš uri-(ki) me-azag-azag-ga_....
13. The dwelling-place Ur, with holy decrees a city....
14. _lugal-mu bara_....
14. Of my king may his chapel....
15. [...]_-e nin [...] gar-ra_....
15. ....
16. _sa- [gar-] ra- ám_(_234_)
16. It is a _sagar_ melody.
17. _e_(_235_)_ __d.__Nannar [ áb -] zu me-a mu-’u-lu en __d.__Áš-ìm-ür_
17. Hail! Nannar, of the flocks(?) thou art ruler, lord Ašimur.
19. _uru igi-ila éš šag [-gál ul- ] ti_(_236_)_-a-ni-mà_
19. In my city of the lifting of the eyes, the home of his own abode,
which is his fulness of luxury,
20. _šuruppak-gim [nam-ģar-]-gud-e_(_237_)_ gál-la-bi_
20. Whose design is like Šuruppak,
21. ..._-e.... áb-mu-ba-ši-in-dib_
21. ....I have caused him to be a shepherd(?)
22. _[e dumu] __e.__En-lil-lá kalama me-a_ _mu-’u-lu en __d.__Áš-ìm-ür_
22. [Hail! son] of Enlil, in the Land he is ruler, lord Ašimur.
24. _[uru igi-] ila éš-šag-gál ul-[ti]-a-ni-mà_
24. Into my city of the lifting of the eyes, the home of his own abode,
which is his fulness of luxury,
25. _[šuruppak]-gim nam-ģar-gud-[e] gál-la-bi_
25. Whose design is like Šuruppak,
REVERSE
1. _[... áb-mu-ba-] ši-in-dib_
1. [...] I have caused him to be a shepherd(?)
2. _[dumu-sag __d.__En-lil-lá kalama me-a] mu-’u-lu en __d.__Áš-ìm-ür_
2. [First son of Enlil, in the Land he is] ruler, lord Ašimur,
4. _[ud-]-dug-ga [ki-gar-ra mu-šú ga]-sá-a_
4. [“He that institutes battle” ] as a name I name.
5. _d.__Áš-ìm-[ür šag]-gi-pad-da-mu_
5. Ašimur the ... whom my heart has chosen,
6. _é-mud-[kur-ra-mu]_(_238_)_ áb-mu-ba-ši-in-dib_
6. In Emudkurramu I caused to be a shepherd(?).
7. _dumu-sag __d.__En-lil-lá kalama me-a mu-’u-lu_
7. First son of Enlil, in the Land he is ruler.
8. _ud-dug-ga_(_239_)_-ki-gar-ra mu-[šú] ga-sá-a_
8. “He that institutes battle” as a name I name.
9. _d.__Áš-ìm-ür me-en ki [šag]-gi-pad-da-mu_
9. Ašimur thou art; where my heart has chosen,
10. _é-mud-kur-ra-mu áb-[mu-ba]-ši-in- dib_
10. In Emudkurramu I have caused thee to be a shepherd(?).
11-12. _lugal tùr-azag-ga áb-zu me-a mu-’u-lu šul-pa munsub-nun-na_
11-12. Lord of the clean sheepfolds, ruler of the flocks is he, the
glorious(?) hero, far famed shepherd.
13. _šag-túm-ma bara ša mu-un-dū eš-e uri-(ki)-mu-[šú]_
13. In the meadow a sanctuary I have built; in the abode of my city Ur,
14. _é-šág-nam-sar kur Dilmun-na nam_
14. In the temple Šagnamsar(240) which is in the mount of Dilmun,
15. _é-gi-azag-bi-a áb mu-ba-ši-in-dib_
15. In the temple of the holy stylus a shepherd I caused him to be(?)
16. _dumu-sag __d.__En-lil-lá kalama me-a mu-’u-lu šul-pa munsub nun-na_
16. First son of Enlil, in the Land he is ruler, glorious(?) hero, far
famed shepherd.
18. _šag-túm-ma bara ša-mu-un-dū éš-e uri-ki-mu-šú_
18. In the meadow a sanctuary I built; in the abode of my city Ur,
19. _é-šá-nam-sar kur Dilmun-na nam_
19. In the temple Šagnamsar which is in the mount of Dilmun,
20. _é-gi-azag-bi-a áb-mu-ba-ši-in-dib_
20. In the temple of the holy stylus a shepherd I have caused him to be(?)
21. _sa-gar- ra- ám_
21. It is a _sagar_ melody.
22. _nar-balag_(_241_)_ __d.__Zu-en-na_
22. Song on the flute to Sin.
LAMENTATION ON THE DESTRUCTION OF UR. 7080 (NO. 11)
The fragment Ni. 7080 carries the right half of one of the largest
literary tablets in the Museum. Broken evenly at the center from top to
bottom the right half of this tablet preserves part of Col. III and all of
Cols. IV, V of the obverse. The reverse correspondingly contains Cols. I,
II and half of Col. III. Like so many similar liturgical compositions of
the period of Ur this lamentation is divided into a series of _kišubs_ or
songs, here of unusually great length. The third song ends at Obv. III 38;
its first line stood in Obv. II, which has been lost. The fourth song
began at Obv. III 42 and ends at Obv. IV 23, containing thirty-four lines.
The fifth song begins at Obv. IV 27 and ends at Obv. V 7, containing
forty-seven lines. In the following pages will be found a translation of
twenty-three lines of the end of the fourth song which describes the
wrathful word of the gods Anu and Enlil. The fifth song, a remarkable ode
to the wrathful word of Enlil, has been translated so far as the text
permits.
The sixth song begins at Obv. V 11, and probably terminated in the broken
passage at the top of Rev. I. Its length was also unusual, having at least
forty-five lines. This song was edited on a small tablet Ni. 4584 on which
the beginning and the end of the section are preserved. It has been
published as No. 10 in _Sumerian Liturgical Texts_, Vol. X of the
Publications of the Babylonian Section. Only a few lines at the
commencement of this song have been translated here. From this point
onward the language of the liturgy presents such difficulty that the
writer has been unable to offer a translation.
Section seven probably ended at the top of Rev. II and refers throughout
to the mother goddess who weeps over the ruins of Ur. The eighth song
probably began at the top of Rev. II and ended perhaps at the top of Rev.
III. It is another doleful ode to the weeping mother and many of its lines
are clear and translatable. The entire song is marked by sorrowful
refrains: _me-li-e-a uru-mu nu-me-a_, Oh woe is me, my city is no
more.(242) _a-uru-mu im-me_, How long? oh my city I cry.(243) _me-li-e-a
uru-ta è-a-mèn_, Oh woe is me, from the city I depart.(244) _dingir
ga-ša-an-gal-mèn é-ta è-a-mèn_, Great divine queen am I, from the temple I
depart.(245) _er-gig ni-šéš-šéš_, She weeps bitterly.(246)
Only the ends of lines of a large part of the ninth song are preserved in
Rev. III. The tenth song probably occupied most of the space in Rev. IV.
Speculation concerning the number of songs in the entire liturgy is
limited to the number of about 11-13. The liturgy was, therefore,
extremely long, attaining to a content of about 500 lines. We know from
the single tablet variant of the sixth song that another edition of this
series existed in which small tablets carried each a single _kišub_. A
similar condition of editorial redaction is revealed by ZIMMERN, KL. 200,
a small tablet which contains the twelfth song of a liturgy to the deified
king of Isin, Išme-Dagan.