Plain text of A song for the king (Inana E)
1-4 Lord, destruction has been given to the wicked as to a dragon. God, destruction has been given to the wicked as to a dragon.
5-8 Riding on the south wind, You are the One who has granted the ordinances from the deep. You have seated King Ama-ucumgal-ana upon the dais. O God, riding on the south wind, You are the One who has granted the ordinances from the deep. You have seated King Ama-ucumgal-ana upon the dais.
9-12 Lord, You have provided ...... to the hero and made Your ordinances excel in heaven. Since his mother's womb, he has wielded the mace. O God, You have provided ...... to the hero and made Your ordinances excel in heaven.
13-16 Towards the king who spends the night in the Land, as towards the sun as it approaches, everyone is well-disposed. When it rises at the mountains, the mountains rejoice. Towards Ama-ucumgal-ana who spends the night in the Land, as towards the sun as it approaches, everyone is well-disposed. When it rises at the mountains, the mountains rejoice.
17-20 My Lord, a mountain of greatness has been given into his hands -- rejoice with him! O God, a mountain of greatness has been given into his hands -- rejoice with him!
21-24 Lord, You have given Your strength to him who is king. Ama-ucumgal-ana brings forth radiance for You. O God, You have given Your strength to him who is king. Ama-ucumgal-ana brings forth radiance for You.
25-28 When he goes out to the rebel lands, to the distant mountains, he spends his time in the mêlée of battle. When Ama-ucumgal-ana goes out to the distant mountains, he spends his time in the mêlée of battle. He thickens good butter for You, as the sun rises from the fragrant cedar mountains! Ama-ucumgal-ana thickens good butter for You, as the sun rises from the fragrant cedar mountains!
29 Sa-gida.
30-33 Lord whom no one can withstand in battle, who rises in heaven and inspires terror, he who for You stands complete in his manhood rejoices in battle as at a festival, and for You he destroys the rebel lands and houses ....... For You Ama-ucumgal-ana, the mighty hero, strikes down the wicked with his shining mace.
34-37 O God, Lord whom no one can withstand in battle, who rises in heaven and inspires terror, he who for You stands complete in his manhood rejoices in battle as at a festival, and for You he destroys the rebel lands and houses ....... For You Ama-ucumgal-ana, the mighty hero, strikes down the wicked with his shining mace.
38-41 Lord, throughout heaven and earth who knows from You the intentions of Your heart, those great matters? All heaven trembles at Your word, a double-twined thread which cannot be separated. This has been given by You. Ama-ucumgal-ana competes majestically for You in battle, cutting a swathe like a dragon.
42-45 O God, throughout heaven and earth who knows from You the intentions of Your heart, those great matters? All heaven trembles at Your word, a double-twined thread which cannot be separated. This has been given by You. Ama-ucumgal-ana competes majestically for You in battle, cutting a swathe like a dragon.
46-49 My Lord, Ama-ucumgal-ana trusts in You. He cloaks his body as if in a royal robe of office. Monthly at the crescent moon he is renewed by Your command like the moon. People praise king Ama-ucumgal-ana, the beloved of Your heart, like the sun as it rises.
50-53 O God, my Lord, Ama-ucumgal-ana trusts in You. He cloaks his body as if in a royal robe of office. Monthly at the crescent moon he is renewed by Your command like the moon. With You, people praise king Ama-ucumgal-ana like the sun as it rises.
54 Sa-jara.
55 A song.