Appears in 67 hymnals First Line: Along the banks where Babel's current flows Lyrics: 1 Along the banks where Babel's current flows,
Our captive bands in deep despondence stray'd,
While Zions' fall in sad rememb'rance rose,
Her friends, her children, mingled with the dead.
2 The tuneless harp, that once with joy we strung,
When praise employ'd and mirth inspir'd the lay,
In mournful silence on the willows hung,
And growing grief prolong'd the tedious day.
3 The barb'rous tyrants, to increase the woe,
With tainting smiles a song of Zion claim;
Bid sacred praise in streans melodious flow,
While they blaspheme the great Jehovah's name.
4 But how, in heathen chains and lands unknown,
Shall Isra'l's sons a song of Zion raise?
O hapless Salem, God's terrestrial throne,
Thou land of glory, sacred mount of praise!
5 If e'er my memory lose thy lovely name,
If my cold heart neglect my kindred race,
Let dire destruction seize this guilty frame;
My hand shall perish and my voice shall cease.
6 Yet shall the Lord, who hears when Zion calls,
O'ertake her foes with terror and dismay,
His arm avenge her desolated walls,
And raise her children to eternal day. Scripture: Psalm 137
The Babylonish Captifity
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