- When as we sat in Babylon
- the rivers round about:
- And in remembrance of Zion,
- the tears for grief burst out.
-
- 2 We hanged our harps and instruments
- the willow trees upon:
- For in that place men for their use
- had planted many one.
-
- 3 Then they to whom we prisoners were,
- said to us tauntingly,
- Now let us hear your Hebrew songs,
- and pleasant melody.
-
- 4 Alas, said we, who can once frame,
- his sorrowful heart to sing:
- The praises of our loving God,
- thus under a strange king?
-
- 5 But yet if I Jerusalem
- out of my heart let slide:
- Then let my fingers quite forget
- the warbling harp to guide.
-
- 6 And let my tongue within my mouth
- be tied for ever fast,
- If that I joy before I see
- thy full deliverance past.
-
- 7 Therefore O Lord, remember now,
- the cursed noise and cry:
- That Edom’s sons against us made,
- when they raised our City.
- Remember Lord, their cruel words,
- when as with one accord:
- Then cried, on, sack, and raise their walls
- in despite of the Lord.
-
- 8 Even so shalt thou (O Babylon)
- at length to dust be brought,
- And happy shall that man be called,
- that our revenge hath wrought.
-
- 9 Yea blessed shall that man be called,
- that takes thy children young,
- To dash their bones against hard stones
- which lie the streets among.
