"This unique composition, the only one of its kind thus far known from the Ancient Near East, probably consists entirely of a chant purported to be uttered by the wife of Shulgi, who seems to have been anxious and troubled by the ill health of one of her sons."
"In general, the tone and content of this composition are unparalleled in Sumerian literature."
The poem, dating to Shulgi's reign, is a unique Sumerian lullaby sung by a mother to her child, reflecting her anxiety over the child's health. Unlike typical Sumerian literature, it does not honor deities or kings. Scholar Samuel Noah Kramer suggests it is a chant from Shulgi's wife, while Jeremy Black emphasizes its unparalleled tone and content in Sumerian literature. The lullaby's imagery is reminiscent of works dedicated to Shulgi, but it stands out for its personal and emotional expression. Discovered in the mid-19th century, it was translated in the 1950s.
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