Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, PSALM 137: EXILE, by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PSALM 137: EXILE, by                    
First Line: We sat & cried along babylon rivers
Subject(s): Exiles; Jews; Mysticism - Judaism; Judaism


How can we sing King Alpha song
In a strange land

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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