INANNA - THE OPERA - LYRICS

Over the years since the Opera's release, I've had many requests to view the lyrical content of the work; every few weeks, I'll be posting the lyrics to the songs in the order in which they appear.
I hope you enjoy the words, as most were taken from the texts of that time. Please feel free to write with any questions or comments you may have.

ACT ONE
INANNA'S THEME

INANNA: Enter my halls, enter my walls, I am the Queen Inanna,
Bask in my presence, smell my incense - I am the Queen Inanna.
Goddess of the Morning Star, Daughter of the Moon,
Queen of all Sumeria - enter my temple and show me your love.

CHORUS: Goddess of Love, Goddess of Pleasure - she is the Queen Inanna,
Clothe her in brilliance, clothe her in azure - she is the Queen Inanna.

INANNA: I am Inanna, Queen of the Heavens, Queen of the Evening Star,
Enter my temple, bask in my beauty - love me before you war...

CHORUS: She is Inanna, Goddess of Rapture - she is the Eight Pointed Star,
Bathe her in perfumes, wrap her in wishes - love her before you war.

INANNA: Come in, all Sumeria - fall into my arms,
I can give you happiness - enter my temple, I'll show you my charms
Show you my charms

Enter my halls, enter my walls...

CHORUS: She is the Queen Inanna

INANNA: Bask in my presence, smell my incense...

CHORUS: She is the Queen Inanna

INANNA: Goddess of the Morning Star - Daughter of the Moon,
Queen of all Sumeria - enter my temple, show me your love...


OVERTURE

INANNA AND DUMUZI

INANNA: If you could count all the stars that are in the skies,
You could see all the love that is in my eyes -
If you travel 'cross a thousand seas,
Will you ever find a girl like me?

DUMUZI: Your beauty shines like a star in the darkest night,
Like a song from my soul, you fill me with light -
Inanna, let me take you in my arms,
Hold you close, keep you safe from worldly harm.

INANNA: Oh, pull me close, be my love, for you make me feel
As though a dream I used to dream is finally becoming real -
The thought of my heart, held beneath your firm caress,
Oh, Dumuzi, it fills me with such loveliness...

DUMUZI: Please, Inanna, share my dream -
Sweet Inanna, be my Queen.

Maiden of light and of youth, put your hand in mine,
I will show you a passion sweeter than the wine -
Join with me, in a dance of Life's embrace,
So that I might gaze into your lovely face.

INANNA: If you could feel all the love that is in my heart,
You would know that in time we will never part -
Can you understand what I would give?
I'd leave my home, and gladly with you I would live...

DUMUZI: Oh my fairest, share my life -
Oh, Inanna, be my wife...

I'd give you gifts and I'd sing of eternal love, Inanna...

INANNA: Sweet Dumuzi - I'd give you the sun and the moon from the skies above.

DUMUZI: Come my Goddess, let me take you to my land,
And show to you, the life for us that I have planned -

Please, Inanna, share my dream...

INANNA: Oh, Dumuzi - be my king....

ACCEPTANCE

DUMUZI: You come into my house
Like a moonbeam in the night
Wrap your arms around me, love
Tell the world you are my wife

INANNA: What about your father, Ea?
Do you think he'll understand
How children from opposing families
Have found themselves in love?

DUMUZI: Don't you worry about him
Don't you worry about how my father feels...

INANNA: Oh, Dumuzi, I can't help myself,
I'm afraid he won't believe
That a goddess like I would settle down
In a land of such simplicity
But Dumuzi, I love you so...

DUMUZI: What can I do to ease your worried mind?

Inanna, come with me
Sit in my golden chair
Let my sister, Geshtinanna
Weave red flowers in your hair

Accept this token of my love
That I now present to you
A collar made especially for my queen
Hewn from finest lapis blue

INANNA: Oh my love, this is so beautiful
The most wonderful gift I have ever seen
Here it will lie upon my beating breast
To remind me this is not a dream

Oh, I feel so loved inside
But still a doubt creeps in my mind
Dumuzi, what will become of me here?
Where will I eat, where will I lay my head?

DUMUZI: My fairest star, my sweetest queen
The splendid table where you eat
Is the one where you shall sit with me
And shall dine on sweetest meats....

EA: Welcome, Lady Inanna
Welcome to our family

Open arms I present to you
To guide you to your royal chambers

Inanna, gaze upon this exquisite bed
Forged of purest gold from the lands below

A pallet fit for the slumber of Anu
But I give it as a gift to the Goddess of Heaven...

INANNA: Well, I can't believe my eyes
And I can't believe my ears
You're saying I can live in happiness,
And I won't have any tears?

EA: We would not lie to you,
And we would not cause you harm
You are not a slave, Inanna
We've been captured by your charms

DUMUZI: My queen, don't be concerned
With your unfounded fears
You will never be mistreated
Our love will last the timeless years....

THE OMEN (DUMUZI'S DREAM)

DUMUZI: I've been looking forward to the light
Oh, I had a dream last night
'Twas a dream of which I fear
That the reality is near

Now the sun has come and it beats down on my face,
I thought that it would help me, to put this vision in its place
But in the light of day it seems, that it is more than
Just an ordinary dream....

I was by the water blue
Standing where the rushes grew
As thick as I'd ever seen
Perhaps because it was a dream

Then I saw a shining knife, descending from the skies
I could not defend the rushes, so I hid my eyes
The rushes were hacked and strewn -
Helplessly I watched them tremble, as they were disassembled....

I walked through a forest deep
As I was tossing in my sleep
The bottom fell out of my churn
My drinking cup was overturned

They stripped me of my sandals, they stripped away my robe
And somewhere in the distance, I heard the bleating of a goat
As I saw the faces of the men,
The scene, it changed again....

The wind was in my hair
The sheep were in my care
When an eagle killed one of the lambs
Oh, I feel that I've been damned!

A falcon killed a sparrow on one of the nearby fences
Have the Gods all made me a victim of circumstances?
Is this dream a warning to -
To keep me from going under, into eternal slumber?

My heart is filled with tears....

INANNA'S VISION

INANNA: Rubbed the sleep from my eyes this morning and recalled a dream
A dream of the wealthy country of Egypt, and I was made their queen
You, my lovely god, Dumuzi, ruled right by my side
I believe that the dream was a prophecy, and tonight we'll ride

DUMUZI: Why must a sleeping dream be reality, why would you feel the need
To take away the lands of my brother - to kill and watch men bleed?
Is that all you want, Inanna, more power and more fame?

INANNA: I want that, and more, Dumuzi - more than I can explain

Why don't you want to be king of Egypt, why don't you want to fight?
Lay down your staff and pick up the sceptre - fly with me tonight
Your brother's gone, Egypt's alone - there's no one in sight
Why don't you want to be king of Egypt? Now the time is right!

DUMUZI: Why would you have me be king of Egypt - why would you have me fight?
What's wrong with the path I have chosen - don't you feel it's right?
A peaceful life, a happy life, upon this pastureland
I don't want the hassles of Egypt - don't you understand?

INANNA: There's no pain, nothing but pleasure and temples made of gold
The shops are grand and filled with such finery - all things bought and sold
They will treat us better than any god that came before
Leave this pastoral life behind you - don't you see there's more?

DUMUZI: Many have tried to push me before and they will push again
Now I find you're just like the others - I will not let you win
You don't really love me for the gentle man I am
You only want to use me - you don't give a damn!

(REPEAT VERSE WHILE INANNA SINGS)

INANNA: There's no pain, nothing but pleasure...
The shops are grand and filled with such finery...
They will treat us better than any god that came before
Leave this pastoral life behind you - don't you see there's more?

DUMUZI: Get out, get out, get out - I've heard it all before
Get out, get out, get out - I will not fight your war!
Don't ever gaze upon this face you swore you loved so well
Get out, you queen, you bitch, Inanna...
Why don't you fight in hell?
Why don't you fight in hell!

NINSHUBUR'S WARNING

INANNA: Ninshubur, come, sit down by my side
To the Lower World I need to ride
Ninshubur, please, listen carefully
Come for me, oh, if the days pass three

NINSHUBUR: Inanna, do you think it's wise?
In the Lower World there are those that despise
Your lovely hair, your laughing eyes
And do not think that the least of all
Is your jealous sister, Ereshkigal

INANNA: Ninshubur, my trusted friend, my Grand Vizier
There's no need to worry - no need to fear
I simply wish to spread my wings
Taste of the fruits this great world brings

NINSHUBUR: Inanna, do you think it's wise?

INANNA: But I don't mean any harm....

NINSHUBUR: Your beauty is a threat alone, Inanna

Inanna, do you think it's wise?

INANNA: But I don't mean any harm....

NINSHUBUR: Your freedom is a threat alone, Inanna

Don't think that families ties can keep you safe, Inanna
The dead have no remorse
And the gods that oversee them, in due time
Will all follow the same course

INANNA: Such are the rites of the Mistress of Earth

NINSHUBUR: Think twice, Inanna, there are those that are waiting for you
Waiting to find you alone
My Lady, you smell freedom - I smell a trap
Inanna, don't stray from your home

Inanna, do you think it's wise?

INANNA: But I don't mean any harm....

NINSHUBUR: Your beauty is a threat alone, Inanna

Inanna, do you think it's wise?

INANNA: But I don't mean any harm....

NINSHUBUR: Your freedom is a threat alone, Inanna

INANNA: Oh Ninshubur, I feel you've become overprotective in your years
You mustn't worry about me
No harm will come to the goddess Inanna
But come for me, oh, if the days pass three....

NINSHUBUR: *Inanna, daughter of Sin was determined to go
To Kurnugi, land of no return
The daughter of Sin was determined to go to the Dark House, dwelling of Erkalla's god
To the house which those who enter cannot leave
To the house where those who enter are deprived of light
Where dust is their food, clay their bread
They see no light, they dwell in darkness
They are clothed like birds, with feathers....

*("Myths from Mesopotamia" - The Descent of Ishtar)

ERESHKIGAL

ERESHKIGAL: 'Cross the full moon she doth ride
With the Four Winds at her side
And, soon, we will gaze into the face of Inanna

What has caused Inanna's wrath
Made her fly across my path
What could she possibly want from me - Inanna?

I eat clay for bread, I drink mud for beer
Haven't seen the sun in a hundred years
Inanna thinks she's got some fears
But she's never had to cry real tears
Like I do....

And I weep for the men in the night
As they lie in their bed all alone
For their women were taken by sickness
Their women were nothing but bones

And I weep for the women who stare out the window
And wait for their love to return
But their love has been taken and will never awaken
While the lamplight eternally burns

And I cry for the baby who thought that just maybe
In this life he could get it right
But was cast from the womb with a jar for a tomb
While the blood trickled black in moonlight

I'm just queen of the Lower World
And, oh, she's such a lucky girl - Inanna!

I can feel her closer now
Silver crescent at her brow
And stars woven all through her hair, Inanna

She thinks she's a clever queen
But to the Lower World she's never been
Does she think she can walk in and steal the scene?

She won't know what love is
She won't know what truth is
'Til she screams....

I'm not alone in this, you see
There are others that agree
Inanna has taken too many liberties

If I cause Inanna harm
With her death she'll lose her charm
And lose the love of her life, her Dumuzi

Go, Gatekeeper, open your gates to her
Treat her according to the ancient rites

THE SEVEN GATES

INANNA: Gatekeeper, why have you taken the crown from my head?
Don't you know I need it to be Queen?

GATEKEEPER: Such are the rites of the Mistress of Earth
Such are the rites of the Mistress of Earth

INANNA: Gatekeeper, why have you taken the rings from my ears?
Don't you know they help me to hear the truth?

GATEKEEPER: Such are the rites of the Mistress of Earth
Such are the rites of the Mistress of Earth

INANNA: Gatekeeper, why have you taken the jewels from my neck?
Of finest lapis lazuli, a gift from my lover Dumuzi

GATEKEEPER: Such are the rites of the Mistress of Earth
Such are the rites of the Mistress of Earth

INANNA: Gatekeeper, why have you taken the pins from my breast?
My hammered golden pins, that shine just like the Sun

GATEKEEPER: Such are the rites of the Mistress of Earth
Such are the rites of the Mistress of Earth

INANNA: Gatekeeper, why have you taken my girdle of stones?
Studded with emeralds of green, and rubies shining like blood

GATEKEEPER: Such are the rites of the Mistress of Earth
Such are the rites of the Mistress of Earth

INANNA: Gatekeeper, why have you taken the bells from my wrists and ankles?
The ones that keep the Ugallu from howling at my heels

GATEKEEPER: Such are the rites of the Mistress of Earth
Such are the rites of the Mistress of Earth

INANNA: Gatekeeper, why have you taken the garment of my body?
Don't you know that all I have left is my dignity?

GATEKEEPER: Such are the rites of the Mistress of Earth
Such are the rites of the Mistress of Earth
Such are the rites of the Mistress of Earth
Such are the rites of the Mistress of Earth

INANNA'S DESCENT

ERESHKIGAL: Walking into darkness
Fate is all I see
Or is it simply madness?
They are watching me

Bit of flesh between my teeth
Then I start to bleed
Can you tell me how to feel
Far beyond the need?

Darling, walk beside me
On this trampled earth
I have a secret I must show you
How much is it worth?

Hush, and tread along with me
To this corridor
Down the hallway we will follow
Pathways of my mind

I must be selective here
For I cannot show all
How much will this treasure give you?
Comparatively, price will seem small

Step inside this little room
This is what my mind
Locks away behind this door
This is what it hides

Just one favor I must ask you
'Ere we walk much more
Give the thing I plead in exchange
Before we reach the core

Assent I read in your eyes
Quick the heart does pulse
Yes, I'll reveal greatest treasures
To your fading corpse

Warm elixir in my mouth
Flowing life does course
Voices louder in my brain
Whispering highest truths

Blood-pool mirrors my green eyes
Filled with wild desire
In your world I'll hunt once more
Sweet morsels of Mankind

REGRETS (IF I KNEW....)

DUMUZI: If I knew what she wanted, I would do -
I would do it
If this ever happens again, I'll see through -
I'll see through it
She just wanted me to have the best in life
And I fought her
Now my goddess has slipped right through my hands
Just like the water

If I knew where she was, I would go -
I would go to her
I would walk by her side, I would show -
I would show to her
That the world is a brighter place with her in it
And that our love could grow much stronger
With every minute

Everything that I ever wanted
Everything that I hold in my hands
I would give just to have her near me
I would give if she could only hear me

And I feel so lost without her
If I could take back what I said about her

If I could, I would walk hand in hand
In the sands with her
I would sing the sweetest song of the life
That I had planned with her
Then I'd take her to her golden bed
And try to tame her
I would show her why the gods and men alike
Have named her

Inanna, sweetest queen of all the heavens
Inanna, lady of the evening star

If I knew who I was, I would not anger
But I'm so unsure of myself, that I'm the danger
I wish I could forget about my life
And all its sadness
Without Inanna, I'm afraid my mind
Will suffer madness

Inanna, sweetest queen of all the heavens
Inanna, lady of the morning star
Where are you, won't you come back to me?
Oh, lady, don't you leave me lonely....

HAVE YOU HEARD? (DUMUZI'S DEMISE)

CHORUS: Have you heard about the god Dumuzi
Have you heard how he was taken down?
Have you heard about the god Dumuzi
Have you heard of how they took his royal crown?

Have you heard about the god Dumuzi?
He was taken down to the Lower World
Have you heard about the god Dumuzi
Have you heard - what are we gonna do now?

1: Did you hear how Dumuzi died, now?

2: Oh yes, I heard it from a friend of mine
It's a pity that such a man should die before his time

Hated by the other gods for he was so innocent
Arrested in his sleep at night while he lay among his flock

Stripped him of his royal sceptre
Stripped him of his royal robe
But the god escaped his captors
Sailed away in a little boat

But the river was stronger than the god in pain
On the banks, Inanna watched him die in vain

CHORUS: Have you heard about the god Dumuzi
Have you heard how he was taken down?
Have you heard about the god Dumuzi
Have you heard of how they stripped him of his gown?

Have you heard about the god Dumuzi?
He was taken down to the Lower World
Have you heard about the god Dumuzi
Have you heard - what are we gonna do now?

3: Oh, you've got it all wrong my friend
That's not the way Dumuzi met his end
Inanna's the one that died, you see
Because she only wanted to be free

But the goddess Ereshkigal
Nailed her heavenly sister to the wall
Resurrected by the gods who love her
With life-giving water, she arose

Then her sister demanded a substitute
For her replacement, Inanna searched both high and low
But everywhere they mourned her death
She couldn't kill those that sympathize

And in the distance, she heard a celebration:
"Who is the one who sings, when I have died so cruelly?"
She arrived with plans to catch this substitute
And found herself looking in the face of her Dumuzi

4: In spite of that, no matter what the circumstance
Dumuzi's death is not the end of light
For I heard that in the heat of the summer sun
The Shepherd King will rise again up from the Night

CHORUS: Have you heard about the god Dumuzi
Have you heard how he was taken down?
Have you heard about the god Dumuzi
Have you heard of how they took his royal crown?

Have you heard about the god Dumuzi?
He was taken down to the Lower World
Have you heard about the god Dumuzi
Have you heard - what are we gonna do now?
(REPEAT)

©1994/1996

LYRICS - ACT TWO

SUMERIAN RELIGION

RETURN TO INANNA - THE OPERA

Last updated July 15, 2005