Lyrics
Humbaba and the Cedar Forest
Humbaba:
Listen! Do you feel them moving under the earth?
Listen! That's it, to the trees, the sacred trees
Oh my dears, it's been seventeen years
holding back your song. Let it go!
Rise up, cicadas!
Your king observes you.
You leave here nothing but a husk,
so charm the world, charm the world, charm the world
You beautiful things!
You leave here nothing but a husk,
so charm the world
Sing out, cicadas!
Drink up, cicadas!
It's only a matter of days until you're dead
Shhhh...
Guard 1:
Look how the sky grows black!
Guard 2:
The birds have flown
Guard 3:
Are we under attack by foes unknown?
Humbaba:
No one would dare
I’ve been placed here by Enlil himself
I have my share
of the divine will, it’s sacred
And besides, who’d hurt the trees? Oh…
Gilgamesh (spoken):
Do you see them standing down there?
Enkidu (spoken):
Yes. And hear them too.
Guard 1:
But still, they’re here right now
Humbaba:
Who goes there?
Guard 1:
I feel it thus
Guard 2:
But how could the gods allow...
Humbaba:
Who goes there?
Guard 2:
...this plague on us?
Humbaba:
Listen! Do you feel them moving?
Listen... to the trees, the sacred trees!
My trees! Who?! Who goes there?!
You came to vie with me
Did you really think you would survive?
[To Gilgamesh] You’re lost, you little fool
This is something greater than your pride
You’re dead to life
[Ninsun’s Song theme of the 13 winds begins here]
Gilgamesh and Enkidu:
West wind...East wind...North wind...South wind...
Humbaba:
Shamash, preserve me!
G &E:
Whirlwind...Demon wind
Humbaba:
I cannot move
G & E:
Freezing wind...Insane wind
Humbaba:
It hurts me!
G & E:
Cursing wind...Grieving wind...
Humbaba:
Release me!
G & E:
Seething wind...Biting wind...an ill wind
Now for him!
Humbaba:
Gilgamesh, you are a king as I am
Enkidu, like me, you were not mother-born
Enkidu:
Kill him!
Humbaba:
I cannot understand what profit with my death you make
Enkidu:
Kill him before you lose your nerve!
Humbaba:
Do you commit this crime for reasons, give them
Enkidu:
Kill him
Humbaba:
You think you’re separate from me, but this is your mistake
Enkidu:
What are you waiting for?
Humbaba:
You are but fools if you think this is the end
Enkidu:
Kill him
Humbaba:
I curse you to live without me
It’s slipping away...slipping away...it’s slipping away from you
Take me to the depths of the forest
Let me die in my love’s arms
You monsters have come, and so we run
But now hear one last vow:
How I curse you to live... one without the other
[Gilgamesh kills Humbaba]
Enkidu: (dazed)
Your fame is assured, Gilgamesh