Plain text of A Song of Praise to the Lord of the Herds (Nanna A)
1-14 How many there are! How many cows there are! How many cattle of the Lord there are! The dark ones are translucent lapis lazuli; the pale cows are the light of the risen moon. The little ones trickle down like barleycorns; the large ones throng together like wild bulls. God, the Glory of Heaven, has undone the halters of the numerous cows in His teeming herd. He has poured out milk from the beautiful cows at the offering table; His bounty ever pours the milk. After my king has completed the work, the shining halter ...... the cows, he ...... the cows, he ...... the cows. He acts as the herder of the cows.
15-20 The people speak a prayer to the Lord in His desert: "A prayer, O Lord! A prayer! May the cows be numerous for us in the good desert. When you arrive at nightfall, may You renew the E-kur, the highly prized sanctuary."
21-24 He is the lord of the E-kur, the house of prayer! He is the cry of joy of the people.
25-36 The people speak kindly from a loving heart: "You are the beloved of the heart who calms the heart; You can wish in Your heart for anything! You can desire everything precious to the heart! ......, splendour of the E-kur. May You create glory in heaven! May the E-kur sing a song of joy about You, may the people call upon Your name, may You be supreme in heaven and earth!"
41-49 "Your name is respected in all lands. Lord of the holy herd who consecrates the purification rites, shining halter, You have conferred on the king the shepherding of the Land!
50-60 "God has named him with a good renown. In His elevated heart He has bestowed kingship on him. He has chosen the city Urim. For him He has brought fish and birds to the princely river. You are adorned in beauty in the heavens. Your moonlight is holy and bright, a sign of Your power; as the daylight, it shines forth for the king."