Lioness: The Song of Inanna
by Samuel David
The first traditional hymn to Inanna published in 3500 years.

Chapter 1: Lioness

Supplicant: O great and princely Inanna,
Your supplicant draws near
And stands before you as mighty Sargon;
Ára, Inanna-nun!

O Star of Lamentation,
Your supplicant draws near
And stands before you as righteous Sargon;
Ára, Mul-isiš!

O Lady of Battle,
Your supplicant draws near
And stands before you as noble Sargon;
Ára, Dam Erim-huš!

Speak, O fearsome one, that I may know of your power!

The Goddess: I dress for action, like a man;
My breasts and my hips are clad in the armor of men's might.
I dress for battle, like a prince;
My hands and my feet are carnelian and the scent of iron fills my nostrils.
I dress for war, like a king;
My lips are as crimson and within my mouth is the roar of Heaven.

Supplicant: Speak, O fearsome one, that I may know of your power!

The Goddess: Rising up as the Dragon of the East,
I take that which is denied to me;
Enki concedes and relinquishes the Mes into my hands;
I create that which cannot be made
And destroy that which cannot be broken.

Rising up as the Falcon of the South,
I lay hold to that which is due to me;
Anu concedes and relinquishes the keys to the E-anna into my hands;
I command the ordinances of Heaven.

Rising up as the Lion of the West,
I seize that which would be given to another;
Enlil concedes and relinquishes the power to ordain kings into my hands;
I establish their rule on the earth.

Supplicant: Speak, O fearsome one, that I may know of your power!

The Goddess: I am the warrior you fear;
I am the drum of battle and the army which marches against gods and kings;
I am the lion whose roar causes Heaven to tremble;

I am the bull whose bellow shakes the Underworld;
I am the turning tide and my proud waves shall never be stayed;
I am the storm and the tempest which sunder the earth;
I am the great mountain whose summit is beyond reach.