THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH (Tablet One)

One of the exciting things about the EPIC OF GILGAMESH is that there are probably parts of it still waiting to be discovered, hidden beneath the sands of Mesopotamia. What you hear in this video is from TABLET ONE (a Prologue) of a series of cuneiform tablets recovered from the excavations of the library of the Assyrian King Ashurbanipal in the ancient city of Nineveh. The translator of the Epic Of Gilgamesh, assyriologist Andrew R. George, whose translation is provided in the subtitles, is one of only a small handful of people in the world able to read Old Babylonian cuneiform script, and his help with the correct pronunciation of the original Babylonian text was essential. For more about Professor George and his work, there are some very entertaining videos of his lectures on YouTube, as well as an impressive list of published books. If you want to read the entire Epic, I highly recommend the following book which can be ordered through Amazon. The paintings you see in this video are the work of artist, illustrator and visionary, Monika Beisner, who created a wonderful series of images inspired by Gilgamesh, his adventures, and his quest for immortality. For more information about this amazing artist, Wikipedia has an excellent article on her life and work. We know very little about the music of the Babylonians. All I can say about my own rendition of this prologue, is that I used instruments that we know were available to ancient musicians: drums, a lute, reed flutes, and of course the human voice. Here is Andrew George’s translation of the text as I have sung it in the video. He who saw the Deep, the country’s foundation, Who knew the proper ways, was wise in all matters! Gilgamesh, who saw the Deep, the country’s foundation, Who knew the proper ways, was wise in all matters! He explored everywhere the seats of power, He knew of everything the sum of wisdom. He saw what was secret, discovered what was hidden, He brought back a tale of before the Deluge. He came a far road, was weary, found peace, All his labours were set on a tablet of stone. Find the tablet-box of cedar, Pick up the tablet of lapis lazuli and read out The travails of Gilgamesh, all that he went through. Surpassing all other kings, heroic of stature, Brave scion of Uruk, wild bull on the rampage! Two-thirds of him god but one third human, Gilgamesh so tall, magnificent and terrible! Who is there can rival his kingly standing, And say like Gilgamesh, ‘It is I am the king’?