Lyrics
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down
Reflection on being in Babylon by the rivers, a place of exile and sorrow
Yeah, we wept, when we remembered Zion
Expressing sorrow and tears when recalling their homeland, Zion
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down
Repetition of the scene by the rivers, emphasizing the emotional impact
Yeah, we wept, when we remembered Zion
Reiteration of the grief and tears upon remembering Zion
When the wicked
Introduction of the wicked as agents of their captivity and suffering
Carried us away in captivity
Narration of the wicked taking them into captivity
Required from us a song
The captors demand a song from the captives
Now how shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?
Rhetorical question questioning how to sing the Lord's song in a foreign land
There the wicked
Repetition of the wicked's role in their captivity
Carried us away in captivity
Restating the captivity and the demand for a song
Requiring of us a song
Emphasizing the requirement for a song from the captives
Now how shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?
Rhetorical question reiterating the challenge of singing the Lord's song in a foreign land
Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart
Desire for the words and thoughts to be pleasing to God
Be acceptable in thy sight here tonight
Repetition of the plea for acceptability in God's sight
Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts
Reiteration of the desire for words and thoughts to be acceptable to God
Be acceptable in thy sight here tonight
Repetition of the plea for acceptability in God's sight
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down
Revisit to the scene by the rivers, re-experiencing the sorrow and tears
Yeah, we wept, when we remembered Zion
Reiteration of the emotional response when recalling Zion
By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down
Repetition of the scene by the rivers, emphasizing the emotional impact
Yeah, we wept, when we remembered Zion
Reiteration of the grief and tears upon remembering Zion
By the rivers of Babylon (dark tears of Babylon)
Introduction of the concept of "dark tears of Babylon," possibly alluding to deeper sorrows
There we sat down (you got to sing a song)
Restating the scene by the rivers and the call to sing a song
Yeah, we wept (sing a song of love)
Encouragement to sing a song of love despite the challenges
When we remembered Zion (yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah)
Reiteration of the emotional response when remembering Zion
By the rivers of Babylon (rough bits of Babylon)
Introduction of "rough bits of Babylon," suggesting the harshness of their situation
There we sat down (you hear the people cry)
Reiteration of the scene by the rivers and the cry of the people
Yeah, we wept (they need their God)
Expressing the people's need for their God in the face of adversity
When we remembered Zion (ooh, have the power)
Reiteration of the challenge, acknowledging the need for divine power
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