BY THE RIVERS OF BABYLON (Ps. 1 36)

Antiphon: If I ever forget the thought of you,\nMay my tongue cleave to my mouth.\nBy the rivers of Babylon\nThere we sat and wept,\n1 2\nRemembering Sion:\nOn the poplars that grew there\nWe hung up our harps.\n2. For it was there that they asked us,\nOur captors, for songs,\nOur oppressors, for joy.\n“sing to us,” they said,\n“One of Sion’s songs.”\n3. O how could we sing\nThe song of the Lord\nOn alien soil?\nIf I forget you, Jerusalem,\nLet my right hand wither!\n4. O let my tongue\nCleave to my mouth\nIf I remember you not,\nIf I prize not Jerusalem\nAbove all my joys!\n5. Remember, O Lord\nAgainst the sons of Edom\nThe day of Jerusalem:\nWhen they said: “Tear it down!\nTear it down to its foundations!\"\n6. O Babylon, destroyer,\nHe is happy who repays you\nThe ills you brought on us\nHe shall seize and shall dash\nYour children on the rock!