Rivers of Babylon is a song by the reggae group Boney M. released in 1978. It is one of the most popular reggae songs of all time and has been covered by many other artists. The song is based on Psalm 137 in the Bible and tells the story of the people of Israel in exile in Babylon after the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem. In this article, we’ll take a look at the full lyrics of the song and discuss its meaning.
Song Overview
Rivers of Babylon is a reggae song with a strong spiritual message. It was written by Frank Farian, George Reyam, and Mike Appel and was recorded by the band Boney M. in 1978. The song is based on Psalm 137 in the Bible, which tells the story of the Israelites in exile in Babylon after the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem. It is a lament for the suffering of the people and a prayer for their eventual deliverance.
The song starts off with a strong chorus, which is repeated throughout the song. The chorus speaks of the sadness of the Israelites, who are longing to return to their homeland. The verses of the song are more upbeat and speak of the hope that one day they will be able to return to their homeland.
Full Lyrics
Verse 1:
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down
Yeah, we wept, when we remembered Zion
When the wicked carried us away in captivity
Required from us a song
Chorus:
How can we sing King Alpha’s song in a strange land?
So let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart
Be acceptable in thy sight, oh Lord, our strength and our redeemer
Verse 2:
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down
Yeah, we wept, when we remembered Zion
When the wicked carried us away in captivity
Demanding a song
Chorus:
How can we sing King Alpha’s song in a strange land?
So let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart
Be acceptable in thy sight, oh Lord, our strength and our redeemer
Verse 3:
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down
Yeah, we wept, when we remembered Zion
When the wicked carried us away in captivity
Demanding a song
Chorus:
How can we sing King Alpha’s song in a strange land?
So let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart
Be acceptable in thy sight, oh Lord, our strength and our redeemer
Verse 4:
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down
Yeah, we wept, when we remembered Zion
When the wicked carried us away in captivity
Demanding a song
Chorus:
How can we sing King Alpha’s song in a strange land?
So let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart
Be acceptable in thy sight, oh Lord, our strength and our redeemer
Rivers of Babylon is a powerful song that speaks to the suffering of the Israelites in exile and their longing for freedom and redemption. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, and its powerful message remains as relevant today as it was when it was first released.