11. zaluzi to the gods (Hurrian Hymn 6), Anonymous, copied by Ammurabi (c. 1225 B.C.)
R.S. 15.30 + 49, 17.387. This nearly intact piece is preserved with the remains of 30 other hymns in the Hurrian language on a series of baked clay tablets found at Ugarit. Modern transcription of the Babylonian musical notation on these tablets is made possible through the discovery of several period musical texts that explain the terms used in the tuning of the lyre through seven diatonic modes. Several modern authors have offered interpretations of these terms, but disagree on certain key points. We have followed M. L. West's melodic interpreta¬tion (5). The Babylonian system does not include notation for rhythm. Text underlay is prob¬lematic since the text and music are written separately. There is almost a 2:1 ratio between the number of syllables and the number of notes, so, if the melody is repeated, the match of syllables to notes is fairly good with a few minor adjustments; on the tablet between the text and music there is a double dividing line with signs indicating a repeat of some kind. Present understanding of the Hurrian language is limited, thus making [bad word] translation impos¬sible; it seems to be a hymn to the goddess Nikkal, wife of the moon god, with a few translat¬able phrases including "you love them in your heart" and "born of you". voice, long-necked lute, asymmetrical lyre, bronze bell
 [bad word]  [bad word] ishtar1
 [bad word]  [bad word]