This edition was prepared by Jennifer Bastable — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
By the waters of Babylon
Staff Notation • Sacred, Anthems
Preview
0
0
Subscribed as
Want Sunday picks sent to another address too?
Free weekly email
Your choir should not be left out in what's trending
Sunday mass selections, psalms, and trending songs in your area — straight to your inbox.
By the waters of Babylon by Jennifer Bastable — Lyrics
Psalmus David, Jeremiae. Super flumina Babylonis illic sedimus et flevimus, dum recordaremur Sion.
In salicibus in medio ejus suspendimus organa nostra:
quia illic interrogaverunt nos, qui captivos duxerunt nos, verba cantionum; et qui abduxerunt nos: Hymnum cantate nobis de canticis Sion.
Quomodo cantabimus canticum Domini in terra aliena?
Si oblitus fuero tui, Jerusalem, oblivioni detur dextera mea.
Adhaereat lingua mea faucibus meis, si non meminero tui; si non proposuero Jerusalem in principio laetitiae meae.
Read full lyrics
About By the waters of Babylon
Jennifer Bastable sets the ancient text of Psalm 137, known in Latin as Super flumina Babylonis. This powerful psalm of exile and longing for Jerusalem is sung here in both Latin and English. The SATB choir expresses the sorrow of the captive Israelites, remembering Zion and questioning how they can sing their songs in a foreign land. The music reflects the poignant lament, asking 'How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?' It is a profound meditation on loss, memory, and hope for return, deeply rooted in the sacred tradition of biblical settings.
