YMCA in Akkadian (Ancient Babylonian), as written by Gilgamesh's exasperated tourism minister trying to attract more gay guys to Uruk to keep Gil distracted from politics:
Lā tuštamarraṣā- Do not, do not be troubled!
Aqabbi, eṭlū!- I said, young men!
Lā lā taṣallalā- Do not, do not lie down!
Aqabbi, eṭlū!- I said young men!
Šunu ina ālim- You are in a town,
Bēt bēt šikārim ḫanbā- Where taverns sprout luxuriously,
Ina ālim alkā- Go to the city,
Aqabbi, eṭlū!- I said young men!
Bēt kaspī ul tīšâ- When you do not have money,
Annikīam tuššabā- Here you can dwell,
Bēt napṭirim nīšu- We have guest-houses,
Itti awīlī umtallâ- They are filled with men….
Taḫaddâ ina - You’ll have fun in
𒌋𒊏𒌋𒅗 U-RA-U-KA! - U-R-U-K!
Wašābum ṭāb ina - The living is good in,
𒌋𒊏𒌋𒅗 U-RA-U-KA!- U-R-U-K!
Ziquratum elâ! Purattum amrā!- Climb up the ziggurat! See the euphrates!
Šikārum ṭābum šitâ!- Drink fine beer!
Taḫaddâ ina - You’ll have fun in
𒌋𒊏𒌋𒅗 U-RA-U-KA! - U-R-U-K!
Wašābum ṭāb ina - The living is good in,
𒌋𒊏𒌋𒅗 U-RA-U-KA!- U-R-U-K!
Amuḫḫūni šaqû! Ziqnūni ītebbū! - Our walls are high! Our beards are shiny!
Nuppušātunu!- You are allowed to breathe [relax]
Eṭlū šimeanni!- Young men listen to me!
Aqabbi, eṭlū! Agana šimeanni!- Young men! Come on, listen!
Aiālam terrišāšu- You desire assistance,
Shū ali īde- This I know for certain!
Šārqum wērum ul ninaddinkunūti- We will not sell you poor copper,
Eṭlū! Ālum ša Uruk bani- Young men! The city of Uruk is beautiful!
Aqabbi eṭlū! Bālātka tezzibši!- I said young man! Leave your pride behind!
Nušallakkunūti- We cause you to go,
Ina Uruk alkā!- Go to Uruk!
Ūmum anniam iseddūkunūti- Today they will help you…
Taḫaddâ ina - You’ll have fun in
𒌋𒊏𒌋𒅗 U-RA-U-KA! - U-R-U-K!
Wašābum ṭāb ina - The living is good in,
𒌋𒊏𒌋𒅗 U-RA-U-KA!- U-R-U-K!
Šarrum šitpiṣā! Ittmalûšu ṣālā! - Wrestle the king! Fight with him!
Ittīšu mekkê mēlilā!- Play ball with him!
Taḫaddâ ina - You’ll have fun in
𒌋𒊏𒌋𒅗 U-RA-U-KA! - U-R-U-K!
Wašābum ṭāb ina - The living is good in,
𒌋𒊏𒌋𒅗 U-RA-U-KA!- U-R-U-K!
Ziquratum elâ! Purattum amrā!- Climb up the ziggurat! See the euphrates!
Šikārum ṭābum šitâ!- Drink fine beer!
Eṭlū! Bilītkunu īde! - Young men! I know your burdens
Amtaraṣ! Ina šinigī- I was unwell, in my village,
Ātanaḫ! Erēšum ezzēr- I was tired, I hated plowing,
Awīlum ana yâšim iṭeḫḫe- A man to me approached,
Inūšu! Awātum awânim- Then! Words were said to me,
Šumašu, Sîn-lēqi-unninni- His name was Sîn-lēqi-unninni!
Ina Uruk alkā! Iqabbi ana yâšim- Go to Uruk! He told me,
Ina Uruk awīlī ūterrešū- In Uruk men are needed…
Taḫaddâ ina - You’ll have fun in
𒌋𒊏𒌋𒅗 U-RA-U-KA! - U-R-U-K!
Wašābum ṭāb ina - The living is good in,
𒌋𒊏𒌋𒅗 U-RA-U-KA!- U-R-U-K!
Ziquratum elâ! Purattum amrā!- Climb up the ziggurat! See the euphrates!
Šikārum ṭābum šitâ!- Drink fine beer!
Addāniqa tallkānim- Please come
Aqabbi, eṭlū!- I said, young men!
Inam anniam ezêršu- I hate this job…
Aqabbi, eṭlū!- I said, young men!
Anāku ānḫāku - I’m so tired….
Bēt bēt šikārim ḫanbā- Where taverns sprout luxuriously,
Taḫaddâ ina - You’ll have fun in
𒌋𒊏𒌋𒅗 U-RA-U-KA! - U-R-U-K!
(Šarrum lillam ina - The king is an idiot in
𒌋𒊏𒌋𒅗 U-RA-U-KA!- U-R-U-K…)
