Credits
This song channels a group of acolytes as they process to Ishtar’s temple to sing Her praises and call on Her guidance. It is a way to ask for grace from Goddess when facing passages to the Underworld.
Deb Kroehwimwin composed this song. It’s track 10 on our album Pantheon: Honoring the Pagan Divine. The whole album is available for sale here on Bandcamp, and this song can also be purchased as an individual digital download. Ishtar is the only song on this album that is completely a capella, with no percussion or instrumentation, just women’s voices. The song is book-ended by a processional chant, “take me down” in 3/4 time. There are 3 chants in the body of the song, all in 4/4 time. Each is presented individually, then all are sung at once, creating a delicious interweaving of melodies. Such a beautiful song!
Ishtar was sponsored by Dru Oakley and is dedicated to all women through time who have raised their voices in praise and celebration.
Lyrics
Take me down, take /Take me down, take
Take me down, take me down
I find You in a horse, a lion and a dove
I find You in a circle of Venus Love
Seven steps, seven veils, lead me down to where Your heart dwells
Ishtar, lead me down
I climb the hill to Ishtar’s temple
I see the Goddess surrounded in light
She beckons me to follow her downward
Into the Queendom of the night
Take me down, take /Take me down, take
Take me down, take me down
music and lyrics © Deborah Ann Taylor Nielsen, ASCAP, 2022
YouTube video
Blog posts that mention this song
blog posts about “Ishtar” will be gathered here as they are written
Photo of cave entrance by Jametlene Reskp