Inanna Cries from Her Voice by Bardic Mechanism
Enheduanna is the first author known by name. These lyrics borrow heavily from one of her hymns, known to us as "A hymn to Inana (Inana C)". In contrast to "Ishtar Will not Tire", I wanted to emphasize Inanna-Ishtar's martial aspects in this piece. I think that I succeeded.
I used a fairly regular structure compared to my usual, loosey-goosey verse. Four lines per stanza, except for the one that serves as a narrative bridge/midpoint (I really let myself go there, what with warriors attacking and stuff). Three stanzas per narrative section, each one terminating with an identical chorus. Eight sections in total, for the Ishtar symbolism.
I'm still not sure why I chose the stylistic trappings of Irish folk music for this. It just seemed like a good idea at the time. The more I listened to the song while mastering the track, the better the idea seemed, so I figured I was onto something.
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Tracklist
| 2. | Inanna Cries | 7:38 |
Lyrics
Inanna cries, and as her song takes form
The gods all quake in fear
Her anger gathers like a storm
Her voice draws ever near
They hide and huddle as one trembling reed
None can oppose her power and her majesty
Without her leave, no fate may be decreed
Without her there can be no destiny
Inanna's sonorous voice resounds - it rings
So heartfelt, terrible and pure
Inanna's joyful heart - it sings
Of death upon the field of war
The people tremble where she turns her eye
For where her eyes gaze coldly in displeasure
The cities turn to ruin and the people die
Leaving a wasteland in place of shrine and treasure
Where there were cattle pens
Only their beams left strewn
And ash the only harvest that remains
Of fields after they burn
Inanna's sonorous voice resounds - it rings
So heartfelt, terrible and pure
Inanna's joyful heart - it sings
Of death upon the field of war
A nightmare waits for her condemned in every darkened place
Horrors that neither eyes, nor ears, nor mouth require
And yet they speak to those tormented in their dark embrace
They speak in searing pain the terror of her ire
Thus, chaos and confusion are the prize
For those who dare to disobey
The sooner thus their sins with blood are washed away
When clad in blinding light she comes to slay
Inanna's sonorous voice resounds - it rings
So heartfelt, terrible and pure
Inanna's joyful heart - it sings
Of death upon the field of war
Her sandalled foot steps on the killing field
Her game begun before the battle lines can form
Her foes despair, for she who never tires need never yield
Her cloak - the whirlwind, and her dress - the storm
How can a mortal man survive the goring horn
Of a great bull that understands his might?
A falcon in whose talons the gods themselves are torn?
A bird of prey from which there can be no escape or flight?
Inanna's sonorous voice resounds - it rings
So heartfelt, terrible and pure
Inanna's joyful heart - it sings
Of death upon the field of war
She turns the midday black
The sun obscuring
Her warriors prepare to fight and die
And when they shout as one in righteous fury
The earth itself will tremble with their battle cry
As they attack
Seeking to wash their weaponry with blood and gore
Axes smash heads and maces crush, spears penetrate
And if the warrior's offerings are such she would adore
With enemy blood she deems them fit to consecrate
Inanna's sonorous voice resounds - it rings
So heartfelt, terrible and pure
Inanna's joyful heart - it sings
Of death upon the field of war
She topples mountains like piles of litter in her fury
And in her charge, she smashes every wall
And when her net drops on her quarry
None can escape its fall
Against her stratagem, all evil comes undone
Her plans - a grave for disobedient and bold
Her wrath - the waters of a flood that once begun
No wall, levee or dam can hold
Inanna's sonorous voice resounds - it rings
So heartfelt, terrible and pure
Inanna's joyful heart - it sings
Of death upon the field of war
The evildoer sins no more
The braggart dares not look upon her
Inanna's heart performs her bidding
As she assumes her seat of honor
On harnessed lions judging evil and civility
Cutting to pieces him who shows her no respect
And teaching the true meaning of humility
To him who she despises and has chosen to reject
Inanna's sonorous voice resounds - it rings
So heartfelt, terrible and pure
Inanna's joyful heart - it sings
Of death upon the field of war
The proud mistress holds a dagger in her hand,
A radiance which covers all the Land;
Hers is the Victory -
And that of those with whom she chose to stand
The only nourishment that the defeated keep
Is food and milk of death
Envenomed by the tears she weeps
Singing her song of wrath
Inanna's sonorous voice resounds - it rings
So heartfelt, terrible and pure
Inanna's joyful heart - it sings
Of death upon the field of war
Credits
Enheduanna - original hymn
