An Eld(th)ian funeral dirge written phonetically using the English alphabet.
Zhem zhad(th)ee, zhem zhad(th)ee
elo-hoo-len, zhem whole-neh khree
Ahm ree thoo-rhun, mathool theh-kahl
Meh-rule ah-hrahd, d(th)ey sheen jay-hahl
Eshun bah-thee, thohn zhem zhad(th)ee
There is no direct translation for the term zhem zhad(th)ee, but the as a whole it represents “Hand of God”
In the chant, each word or phrase is meant to be sung at a slow but rhythmical pace and is formed using low guttural tones. This was often sung by soldiers during the funeral march commemorating a fallen warrior. It has also been used as a melancholy battle cry when facing certain and immanent death.
It’s earliest recorded usage was during the first siege of Ahm Ah-thesh Nee-hahm. Though the Kid(th)esh did not speak Eld(th)ian as their primary language at this point in history, it is believed that it was sung in an attempt to sway the hearts of the oncoming army that they might have mercy. Though the Kid(th)esh surrendered, the song evidentially succeeded; the siege ended after only a few days without a single loss of life. Furthermore, the city was granted unprecedented rights to maintain its sovereignty.
The following is my best understanding and interpretation of the meaning. As this is Eld(th)ian poetry, a lot of syntax that is commonly present in writing is missing or inferred. As to be read and understood in English, I have included the inferred text in brackets.
Hand of God, Hand of God
[You] welcome [me]1, all of me [is] taken up2
[to a] place of unending life3, [I] surrender fully4
[to] know you with my eyes5, [as I ] face the dawn [that is] upon me6
[For the] conqueror/victor comes7, behold! The Hand of God
1. Can also be said “I am welcomed by you”
2. The word zhem is not a noun, but a modifier telling the reader that the following action is done by the hands. The taken up is like a child lifted by the hands of the father.
3. Unsure of this translation
4. This closely resembles the concept of unconditional surrender and can almost be directly translated as such. The term theh-kahl does not mean “unconditional”, however, as it is a quantitative term describing the amount of surrender. In this case the words “fully” or “completely” are better suited as the speaker is painting a picture of a surrender that includes not only himself, but all that is his. His personal will, desires, and vision are wrapped up in this. It’s a total giving over of personhood.
5. This is a cultural phrase used to describe meeting someone face to face for the first time. It is indicative of a new deeper intimacy that can only come from being in a person’s presence.
6. This could also mean “the dawn breaks”. Other meanings could infer “the night is overcome by the light.” In other texts, it also means, “The moment is upon me”. In this particular contextual case, either translation is correct.
7. In this context, the conqueror does not mean one who destroys, but one who rescues, sets free, and liberates by victory over the enemy. It could also be translate “The savior comes!”