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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PSALM 137: EXILE by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE

First Line: WE SAT & CRIED ALONG BABYLON RIVERS
Subject(s): EXILES; JEWS; MYSTICISM - JUDAISM; JUDAISM;

@3How can we sing King Alpha song
In a strange land@1

We sat & cried along Babylon rivers
remembering Zion.

We hung up our harps on Babylon trees
when our captors asked us for songs
when they mocked us calling for a happy tune:

"Sing us one of those Zion songs!"

If I forgot you Jerusalem
my right hand would wither
my tongue would stick to the roof of my mouth
if I didn't remember you
if I couldn't start up a tune with:
"Jerusalem . . ."

YaHVeH recall the Edomites
Jerusalem's day when they said:
"Strip her Strip her bottom bare!"

Now thief Babylon (a song for you):

"Happy He'll be to pay you the reward you've rewarded us
Happy He'll be to snatch your babies and smash them against a rock!"


Used with the permission of Copper Canyon Press, P.O. Box 271, Port Townsend, WA
98368-0271, www.cc.press.org



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