Sheet Music and recording of A Sumerian Drinking Song in The Silver Lyre available here:
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The Silver and Gold Lyre Play together! Many thanks to Andy Lowings for sending us this edited version of the original A Sumerian Drinking Song track from The Silver Lyre CD.
This version adds to the original recording with the Silver Lyre replica, Anne Kilmer and Lorna Govier in the USA with the Gold Lyre replica, Andy Lowings, Jennifer Sturdy, Mark Harmer, Keith Jobling and Dr. Stef Conner in the UK (with ).
Enjoy the duet, from an ancient hymn to the beer goddess Ninkasi, in the Sumerian language. Music by Lorna Govier.
The Gold Lyre has a lower voice, the Silver Lyre has a higher voice.
Translation of the Sumerian text by Anne Kilmer. Sumerian words present in text: gakkul-vat - an ancient fermenting vat made of clay; lamsare vat: another brewing container; ugurbal, sagubbe, am-am, buninbur and bandu are also containers that held beer. Kase (pronounced “kash-eh“) and Kas (pronounced “kash“) mean “to drink“.
A Sumerian Drinking Song
O gakkul-vat, O gakkul-vat
O gakkul-vat, Lamsara-vat
The gakkul makes the liver glad
The Lamsar makes the heart un-sad
The ugur-bal doth suit the home
When sa-gub jar is filled with foam
The am-am jar doth serve Lamsar
The pails of reed come from afar.
Refrain:
Kase Kase Kase Kas
Kase Kas
Kase Kas
Kase Kase Kase Kas
Kase Kase Kas Kas
The server the beer of all the lands
These lovely pots stand on their stands
May your god’s heart upon you smile
Let Gakkul’s eye be ours the while
Let Gakkul’s heart be ours in truth
For it will profit both forsooth
Glad the liver, glad the heart
Libate the Brick of future part.
Refrain
Foundations set for health and peace
Ninkasi’s presence’ll never cease
Let her pour for you this beer and wine
The liquor’s sound is sweet and fine
Sweet beer abounds in pails of reed
Of boys and bearers there’ll be a need
As I spin around on lots of beer
As I feel bliss and I feel cheer
Refrain