One of the most famous of all, Psalm 137 tells the story of the Judeans — children of Israel — who were exiled from Judea and forced to live in Babylon. The song contains several phrases that have been popularized in several cultures: for example, “down by the rivers of Babylon,” and “if I should ever forget Jerusalem.” I have written a couple of versions of this song, using different styles. And I used the song in my musical, “Esther,” to show how those Jews living in Persia, during the time of Queen Esther, continued to dream of returning to Jerusalem and it’s treasured Mount Zion.
Psalm 137 — Al Naharot Bavel — By the Rivers of Babylon — © 2019 Myron Schreck
| Down by the banks of the rivers of Babylon Down by the Babylon shores There did we lie Oh how we cried Remembering Jerusalem Down by the banks of the rivers of Babylon Down by the Babylon shores We hung our harps In the branches of the willows Refusing to play them anymore For there — the people who had captured us. Asked to hear us play our joyful songs. “Sing a song of Jerusalem,” they said, “Sing a song of Jerusalem.” How can we sing our holy songs, in this strange and foreign land? Down by the banks of the rivers of Babylon Down by the Babylon shores There did we lie Oh how we cried Remembering Jerusalem If I should e’re forget Jerusalem, let me lose the use of my right hand. Let my tongue be stuck to the roof of my mouth if I ever forget Zion. If I fail to place Jerusalem at the forefront of my joy. |
Down by the Rivers – based on Psalm 137 – Gospel style — © 2016 by Myron Schreck
Down by the rivers … by the rivers of Babylon … that’s where we hung our heads and we cried (and cried) … over our memories … our sorrowful memories … of all our homes in the Holy Land and Jerusalem
We were once free … a free people in Judea … until they came and tore our holy temple down … to the ground. We were driven from our cities. We were forced across the Jordan … to live as strangers in a strange and distant … foreign land.
People ask to hear our stories … hear our poems and our songs … about David and Goliath … about Moses and the slaves. And though it’s painful to remember and to sing our holy psalms … still we sing them with the hope that G-d will listen … that G-d will listen …
So come on to the rivers … … to the rivers of Babylon … and we will wash away and wipe away our … salty tears. But never our memories … and never our hopes and dreams … to be returned to our Holy Land and Jerusalem
Take my powers … take my talents … if i ever should forget … how the hills of Zion glisten in the golden setting sun. Strike me deaf and strike me speechless … if my memories should fade … After all the years I’ve wandered from my home … far from my home …
So come on to the rivers … … to the rivers of Babylon … and we will sing our Psalms and we will say our prayers … to the Holy One … our creator and our savior … to bring us back to our Holy Land and Jerusalem
Myrrh ~ Songs by Myron Schreck 