Rivers of Babylon (Psalm 137) Lyrics

By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept

When we remembered Zion where the light once slept

The willows bowed the harps lay still

Our songs were silenced by the weight of the hill

How can we sing in this foreign land

Where the air tastes of dust and dreams turn to sand?

They demanded joy from our sorrowed hands

But our hearts beat slow like shifting strands

Oh Zion your ruins call

Your sacred stones echo through it all

If I forget you O Zion's flame

May my right hand lose its strength its aim

May my tongue cling silent in shame

If I forsake the songs of your name

The waters murmur the willow trees sigh

They cradle the sorrow of a tear-streaked sky

And though we ache though we cry

The memory of Zion refuses to die

O Daughter of Babylon doomed to fall

Blessed are those who repay your call

Who return the pain you've sown so deep

To plant in the ashes what justice reaps

Oh Zion your ruins call

Your sacred stones echo through it all

If I forget you O Zion's flame

May my right hand lose its strength its aim

May my tongue cling silent in shame

If I forsake the songs of your name

By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept

But the songs of Zion in us are kept

Forever they echo through wind and stone

A melody eternal though we're far from home