98. By the Babylonian rivers

1 By the Babylonian rivers
we sat down in grief and wept,
hung our harps upon a willow,
mourned for Zion while we slept.

2 There our captors in derision
did require of us a song;
so we sat with staring vision
and the days were hard and long.

3 How shall we sing songs of Zion
in a strange and bitter land?
Can our voices veil the sorrow?
O God, hear your lonely band.

Text Information
First Line: By the Babylonian rivers
Title: By the Babylonian rivers
Paraphraser: Ewald Bash, 1924-
Meter: 8 7 8 7
Language: English
Publication Date: 1997
Scripture:
Topic: Discouragement / Despair; Exile; Lament (4 more...)
Copyright: Public Domain
Tune Information
Name: LATVIAN MELODY
Arranger: Darryl Nixon, 1952-
Meter: 8 7 8 7
Key: d minor
Source: Latvian traditional
Copyright: Arrangement © Songs for a Gospel People, 987



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