Lyrics

"Not a Normal Day"

Narrator: The woman-- the new bride-- is allowed to leave the palace. As Shamash brings the sun up just high enough to throw shadows around the temple, the people of Uruk begin their day as usual. On a side street from the main square, several boys are chasing each other with imaginary bows and arrows, showing off for heedless girls as they play the jump rope game named after Inanna the goddess of love.

There is a man walking in front of the woman, the same man-- her husband-- who brought her the day before, and for them this is not a normal day.

Something in the way she looks at her husband from behind, a silent plea, causes the people in the square to notice her one by one until all eyes are on the woman even though the sight of a new bride and newly released groom leaving the palace is not an uncommon one in Uruk at such an hour. No, something is different today. The citizens follow behind the couple for a moment. A wave of sorrow sweeps through the crowd like a chill through a body. A priestess steps out from the crowd with a prayer, capturing the attention of the gods.