By the Rivers of Babylon We Sat Down and Wept
We sate down and wept by the watersOf Babel, and thought of the dayWhen our foe, in the hue of his slaughters,Made Salem's high places his prey;And Ye, oh her desolate daughters!Were scattered all weeping away.
While sadly we gazed on the riverWhich rolled on in freedom below,They demanded the song; but, oh neverThat triumph the Stranger shall know!May this right hand be withered for ever,Ere it string our high harp for the foe!
On the willow that harp is suspended,Oh Salem! its sound should be free;And the hour when thy glories were endedBut left me that token of thee:And ne'er shall its soft tones be blendedWith the voice of the Spoiler by me!
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