Most people associate the song "Rivers of Babylon" with Boney M. However, the song's roots date back to biblical times, specifically the Book of Psalm 137. The psalm talks about the Babylonian exile where the Israelites were forced to leave their homeland and journey to Babylon. Psalm 137 verses 1-4 read:
It is Psalm 137 that is most prominently featured, specifically its first four verses. This section focuses on how the Israelites felt and what they experienced being in exile "by the rivers of Babylon". Or stated otherwise, they were captured by the Babylonians, who carried them away to their country.
By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down. Yeah, yeah, we wept, When we remembered Zion. Then the wicked Carried us away in captivity, Required from us a song. Now how shall we sing the Lord
In 1970, they take Psalm 137 and turn it into a gorgeously slinky song, "Rivers of Babylon", interpolating a verse from another Old Testament Psalm, 19 ("Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart…"). The closing bars offer the singer a chance to emphasise the song's message: "Sing a song of freedom, brother!"
Psalm 137. 1 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept. when we remembered Zion. 2 There on the poplars. we hung our harps, 3 for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion!". 4 How can we sing the songs of the Lord.
The Lyrics for Rivers of Babylon by Boney M. have been translated into 21 languages. By the rivers of Babylon There we sat down Yeah, yeah, we wept. When we remembered Zion By the rivers of Babylon There we sat down Yeah, yeah, we wept When we remembered Zion Then the wicked carried us away in captivity Required from us a song Now how shall we
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down Ye-eah we wept, when we remembered Zion. By the rivers of Babylon (dark tears of Babylon) There we sat down (You got to sing a song) Ye-eah we wept, (Sing a song of love) When we remember Zion. (Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah) By the rivers of Babylon (Rough bits of Babylon)
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