Psalms 137:1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. Psalms 137:3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. Psalms 137:4 How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land? Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
@@wilsont1010 Nope, not really. Zion is one of the names that Torah uses for "Israel". This is Psalm about the Babylonians carting the Jews away from Israel to live in Babylon (modern day Iraq). Reggae often used Jewish and Torah analogies to explain the plight of Jamaicans, especially in Rastafari.
Interestingly Harry , when I lived in London in 1970 ( Crystal Palace area ) , I had a lot of skinhead friends.....played soccer with them , listened to reggae with them , wore bovver boots , chequered shirts , braces , and porky hats .... yes indeed: a small world !!!!
@mauricemzwinila8041Ill tell you something Maurice those Jamaican's were far more dependable and great to be around, I worked with five on the railways when I started in 1973, I was eighteen years old and cocky but they beat that cockiness out of me with the friendship they shared with me. I'm 69 now and remember them fondly, they are one of the reasons I'd love to do it all again. Unfortunately some have now passed but I still see one of them now and again and he's in his 90s, and he can still show me a few moves in the dancing department 😁, great friends from a great era.
@@LarzGustafsson Deu 10:20 Thou shalt fear YHWH Thy Power; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. He is thy praise, and he is thy Power, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen. DEUT 6:13 Thou shalt Fear YHWH Thy Power, and HIM ONLY shalt thou serve; and thou shalt cleave to him, and by HIS NAME thou shalt swear. 1Sa 2:2 There is none holy as יהוה: for there is NONE BESIDE THEE: neither is there any rock like our Power. Isa 26:13 O יהוה our God, other lords besides thee have ruled over us, but Thy Name ALONE We ACKNOWLEDGE. Psa 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose NAME ALONE is יהוה art THE MOST HIGH over all the earth. Psa 148:13 Let them praise the name of YHWH: for His Name ALONE is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. . Isa 8:13 “It is YHWH of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread. Isa 26:8 Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O YHWH, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. Psa 18:3 I will call upon YHWH, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Psa 62:2 He ONLY is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. Joe 2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of YHWH shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as YHWH hath said, and in the remnant whom YHWH shall call. 1Sa 7:3 Samuel spake unto all Israel, If ye do return unto YAH with all your hearts, put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you and prepare your hearts unto YHWH, and SERVE HIM ONLY.
Beautiful tribute to the authenticity of the Bible .. when the Hebrews' were carried away into captivity by the Babylonians , the first Universal empire.. followed by Medo Persian , then Greek , then Roman of which some of that still exists today, but a fifth Universal empire under Christ the King is coming of which there will be no end .. .when the blind shall see, deaf will hear , no war , pain , all the resurrected will be back.... Praise God !
Jö vel Uram jövel 1És megmutatá nékem az élet vizének tiszta folyóját, a mely ragyogó vala, mint a kristály, az Istennek és a Báránynak királyiszékéből jővén ki 2Az ő utczájának közepén. És a folyóvízen innen és túl életnek fája vala, mely tizenkét gyümölcsöt terem vala, minden hónapban meghozván gyümölcsét; és levelei a pogányok gyógyítására valók.
@@psychonaut689in the new Testament Jesus said about himself he is the answer to THAT part of the scripture that is recited every morning among observant jews THAT God may heal the blind to make them see And the deaf to make them hear... Kingdom of god is WITHIN YOU it says in the bible!!! It's actually an inner state of focus in the word of god and on the healing THAT God promised to everyone who obeys him!!!
I discovered the original only some years ago as well. And I remember the Saturday afternoon back in 1978 when I heard this for the first time like it is yesterday. I was totally smashed that day. The next week I waited for the top-40 on the radio to grab in on my (reel-to-reel) tape deck. I was surprised it was copied/covered/stolen (cross out what does not apply) from this original. But then again, the original did not become that popular and Frank Farian arranged a version which did and is still played on the radio today. Because the Boney M arrangement is simply more appealing than the original. That is not a lie, that is a more gifted artist. By the way, I was living in the Caribbean at that time and heard a lot of regional music. This original -while a great composition in itself- did just not make the hit.
Psalm 137 1-4 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. 2 There on the poplars we hung our harps, 3 for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?
1970s..the basement parties in London..home away from home for we immigrant West Indians. One of the many Rock steady, Reggae genres that brought us so much happiness. Didn't expect to reconnect in the US.. Yes, these songs live on.!!!
The song is a message from our forefathers kidnapped from their home lands taken to the Arab lands in captivity. Slaved in salt mines and swamps of Iraq.When they revolted 500,000 were slaughtered by the Arabs. History thanks and blessings to the Caribbean peoples
Its a message from your own forefathers who were taken from their homes in africa and taken to the canefields in the Caribbean and the americas . Whats even more tragic is those white european Christian slavers would have read the psalms every sunday and didnt care one jot about your forefathers in fact even. More sinister they removed those verses from your slave bibles to stop younthinking about freedom
This is the original they recorded it in the sixties i was about 5 or six years old i watch them rehearsed this song melodians my brother lead sing RIP Tony
@@remicornwall754 2 psalms are the original. Tradditional but it is to say that The Melodiens stoled it for the first time and gave their own stample on it.
@@bm_locks the song was for the first time recorded by The Melodiens with using 2 psalms as basic. Because the song was older than 30 years are there no people who have the owner rights. And probably are they even unknown. But for sure didn't The Melodiens wrote the lyrics themselves. So the producer of Boney M. thought he could do the same but his version was too much based on The Melodiens version. So the producer had to add 2 members of The Melodiens for the song too and not only his name. The Melodiens released their Rivers of Babylon in Boney M.'s hit time,summer 1978, but it failed,no succes and only a little in 1969/1970. But they became sleepy rich by Boney M. who sold 20.000.000 copies of Rivers of Babylon. And also the song on their third album and many compilation albums.
It has something to do with Christianity as well. But also Buddhism. “Let the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart be acceptable in Thy sight from now on.“ This is a prayer to the Lord of the Bible. But It could also easily be a request of the Great Spirit of many native peoples beliefs. In fact, look how similar this is and yet presages quite closely the meaning of what will become famously known as “The First Agreement” from Don Miguel Ruiz book, THE FOUR AGREEMENTS. “Be Impeccable With Your Word” which, according to the book, is THE most important agreement to learn. “Let the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart be acceptable in thy sight from now on”
Lyrics: By the rivers of Babylon Where he sat down And there he wept When he remembered Zion But the wicked carried us away in captivity Required from us a song How can we sing King Alpha song in a strange land? 'Cause the wicked carried us away in captivity Required from us a song How can we sing King Alpha song in a strange land? Sing it out loud Sing a song of freedom, sister Sing a song of freedom, brother We gotta sing and shout it We gotta jump and shout it Shout the song of freedom now So let the words of our mouth And the meditation of our heart Be acceptable in Thy sight, oh Far I So let the words of our mouth And the meditation of our heart Be acceptable in Thy sight, oh Far I Sing it again! We've got to sing it together We've got to shout it together By the rivers of Babylon Where we sat down And there we wept When we remembered Zion Oh, the wicked carried us away in captivity Required from us a song How can we sing King Alpha's song in a strange land? 'Cause the wicked carried us away in captivity Required from us a song How can we sing King Alpha's song in a strange land? Sing it, sing it, sing it We've got to sing it, brother We've got to sing it, sister
Sweet Sensation was definitely my favourite... one of the 1st recordings played in Top Rank suite and Rainbow in Birmingham.... takes me back ... reminds me of Vivian Mcgill 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
There are times that an original version of a song is far and way the best version....and here`s an example. Truly wonderful vocals and terrific production makes this a classic.
Spoken with a heart full of longing for their homeland....very sad song actually but full of soul, and that's what makes it so great. Just fantastic and one of my all-time favorites. Bless these souls, what an unbelievable history, and that they survived...!!
@@Mitch93 yes, true, but in Jamaican Rastafari usage it is used to represent the present day 'Babylon'...that is any powerful governmental force which oppresses the poor or unfortunate
For the wicked carried us away into captivity; required of us a song… how can we sing of our song in a strange land? So let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts, be acceptable in thy sight, oh fari Beautiful
This song brings deep sad feelings about my dad's older brother who unfortunately passed away when he was 25 yrs old. Before he passed he told his Mom my darling grandmother that he. was crossing the river of Jordan & that Jesus was on the other side waiting ✋️ to receive 🙏 😳 Jim. It's very true but very sad how he died, bit back then their parents were stricter. The old generation & they were raised worst than us. But the Khan's were very well respected & highly honored 🎖 they were filled with million dollar laughters & great minds. I'm very proud of my family,good great friends & now new ❤️ 💖 a darling that I'm so dying to be with & snuggle with ❤❤😊❤😂❤❤❤❤🎉🎉
The last time I saw Jimmy Cliff he was doing this with nothing but a hand drum. He had the whole place singing along. Great song, I first heard the hymn it's based on in church before I can recall.
Sometime in 89/90ish I saw Jimmy in Chicago at the Riv in Uptown. They started with this. They did it acapella with a drum circle. It was breath taking.
They held back Limbo and Harder They Come until the encore. I was lucky enough to catch a lot of heavies back then. Burning Spear, Yellow Man, Bunny Wailer, Steel Pulse, more.. Cliff had the best show by far.
Skamania County, 1980: sitting in the crummy next to a treeplanting unit, waiting for the Forest Service to show up, singing this song so sweetly that we did not stop when the FS finally showed up. Golden days...
There are at least two great musical settings of this Old Testament prayer. One is the chorus "Va, pensiero" from Verdi's opera "Nabucco." The other is this one.
@@giuseppelogiurato5718 Pretty much like that. We were on a gig and my friend Kenny White sprung it. It was fun. Full of mistakes. Full of music. Music like pain tells you that you are still alive. By the Rivers of Babylon Like being in a Baptist Church full of faith! Doesn't get much better!
White man living in Small Heath in 1960 attending parties in Muntz Street, Fox Hollies drinking Barley Wine and Blues Parties in Golden Hilloock road, smoking weed, standing next to Bass speakers bigger than me. Let’s not forget The Small Arms, The Malt Shovel either. Great times, Races mixing and no shit, just good times. Todays youth, fighting gangs, waste of time and energy. Much better now living in the West of Ireland on home grown. Boomshankar
Hearing this beautiful classic,, others immediately came to mind,, including Desmond Dekker & The Aces "Fu Manchu",, The Poineers "Long Shot Kick De Bucket",, Jacob (The Killer) Miller "A Chapter A Day"Jimmy Cliff "Many Rivers To Cross"
So this is the original song, before Boney M? Boney M changed the lyrics to : How can we sing « The Lord’s Song » in a strange land (which corresponds more to the psalm)?
The Melodiens were the first ones who killed 2 traddition Bible Psalms into an own song. They ended the tradditional status of it. Boney M. had finally to add the writers of The Melodiens too for their version. It was too much based on their version. Not on only the psalms.
First heard this on a Ronstadt album long ago. Then was fortunate to see Jimmy Cliff sing it in Seattle late 80s. And now I find this and it's, well, nirvana. God, I love UA-cam . . . .
Original Singers On this Particular song, - The Melodians. Thank You For Keeping it on UA-cam. Highly Appreciated, This Is Year 2022, Merry Christmas to All People Around the World, From Beyond The Sea. Thank You For Listening.
... in addition to the correct comment earlier, another part of this songs lyrics are from Psalm 19; Psalm 19:14 King James Version 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
A tradditional take out of the bible. The Melodiens were the first who used it and put their own stample on it. They were the first owners. So the producer of the rework of Boney M. had to add their names too!
Psalms 137:1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
Psalms 137:3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.
Psalms 137:4 How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land?
Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Zion as in Zionist in today's context?
@@wilsont1010Zion as in their homeland
@@wilsont1010 Nope, not really. Zion is one of the names that Torah uses for "Israel". This is Psalm about the Babylonians carting the Jews away from Israel to live in Babylon (modern day Iraq). Reggae often used Jewish and Torah analogies to explain the plight of Jamaicans, especially in Rastafari.
@@sonofblessed so yes...
@@wilsont1010no
1970 skinheads, we loved reggae music and the clothes, I had lots of Jamaican friends and we had a ball, so miss those days.
Where are those friends
Interestingly Harry , when I lived in London in 1970 ( Crystal Palace area ) , I had a lot of skinhead friends.....played soccer with them , listened to reggae with them , wore bovver boots , chequered shirts , braces , and porky hats .... yes indeed: a small world !!!!
Why is that relevant @@sonofsoweto
@mauricemzwinila8041Ill tell you something Maurice those Jamaican's were far more dependable and great to be around, I worked with five on the railways when I started in 1973, I was eighteen years old and cocky but they beat that cockiness out of me with the friendship they shared with me. I'm 69 now and remember them fondly, they are one of the reasons I'd love to do it all again. Unfortunately some have now passed but I still see one of them now and again and he's in his 90s, and he can still show me a few moves in the dancing department 😁, great friends from a great era.
Most of Boney M. were from Jamaica.
Psalms 137 🙌🏿🙏🏿 ALL PRAISE TO YAH
Well said!
No, to JESUS. He is the only God.
@@LarzGustafssonsorry, Jesus was a human being, not more Adonai is our God
@@LarzGustafsson Deu 10:20
Thou shalt fear YHWH Thy Power; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.
He is thy praise, and he is thy Power, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.
DEUT 6:13 Thou shalt Fear YHWH Thy Power, and HIM ONLY shalt thou serve; and thou shalt cleave to him, and by HIS NAME thou shalt swear.
1Sa 2:2
There is none holy as יהוה: for there is NONE BESIDE THEE: neither is there any rock like our Power.
Isa 26:13
O יהוה our God, other lords besides thee have ruled over us, but Thy Name ALONE We ACKNOWLEDGE.
Psa 83:18
That men may know that thou, whose NAME ALONE is יהוה art THE MOST HIGH over all the earth.
Psa 148:13
Let them praise the name of YHWH: for His Name ALONE is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
.
Isa 8:13
“It is YHWH of hosts whom you should regard as holy.
And He shall be your fear,
And He shall be your dread.
Isa 26:8
Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O YHWH, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
Psa 18:3
I will call upon YHWH, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
Psa 62:2
He ONLY is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
Joe 2:32
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of YHWH shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as YHWH hath said, and in the remnant whom YHWH shall call.
1Sa 7:3
Samuel spake unto all Israel, If ye do return unto
YAH with all your hearts, put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from
among you and prepare your hearts unto YHWH, and SERVE HIM ONLY.
Louvado seja YHWH ( YAORROU)
My mom used to sing this to me when I was very young, I miss her all the time
Me to bro very much is the great song for everyone is nice
Mums are special ,i miss mine,too
You gave me a good story.
Thousand thanks.
you will meet again, this life is just a phase to the next one :)
Jah bless her in zion
Singing this today, Shabbat Shalom Family!
Beautiful tribute to the authenticity of the Bible .. when the Hebrews' were carried away into captivity by the Babylonians , the first Universal empire.. followed by Medo Persian , then Greek , then Roman of which some of that still exists today, but a fifth Universal empire under Christ the King is coming of which there will be no end .. .when the blind shall see, deaf will hear , no war , pain , all the resurrected will be back.... Praise God !
I wish it were so
Jö vel Uram jövel
1És megmutatá nékem az élet vizének tiszta folyóját, a mely ragyogó vala, mint a kristály, az Istennek és a Báránynak királyiszékéből jővén ki 2Az ő utczájának közepén. És a folyóvízen innen és túl életnek fája vala, mely tizenkét gyümölcsöt terem vala, minden hónapban meghozván gyümölcsét; és levelei a pogányok gyógyítására valók.
@@psychonaut689in the new Testament Jesus said about himself he is the answer to THAT part of the scripture that is recited every morning among observant jews THAT God may heal the blind to make them see And the deaf to make them hear...
Kingdom of god is WITHIN YOU it says in the bible!!!
It's actually an inner state of focus in the word of god and on the healing THAT God promised to everyone who obeys him!!!
I've just discovered this original version and some how feel like I've been lied to all my life.
ua-cam.com/video/Z3CW9WPUDpE/v-deo.html
I discovered the original only some years ago as well. And I remember the Saturday afternoon back in 1978 when I heard this for the first time like it is yesterday. I was totally smashed that day. The next week I waited for the top-40 on the radio to grab in on my (reel-to-reel) tape deck. I was surprised it was copied/covered/stolen (cross out what does not apply) from this original. But then again, the original did not become that popular and Frank Farian arranged a version which did and is still played on the radio today. Because the Boney M arrangement is simply more appealing than the original. That is not a lie, that is a more gifted artist. By the way, I was living in the Caribbean at that time and heard a lot of regional music. This original -while a great composition in itself- did just not make the hit.
Milli Vanilli
This record played all day long outside my office in Kumasi, Ghana, in the late 1970s. I still love it,
Psalm 137 1-4 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.
2 There on the poplars
we hung our harps,
3 for there our captors asked us for songs,
our tormentors demanded songs of joy;
they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
4 How can we sing the songs of the Lord
while in a foreign land?
Selah ❤️💛💚
Lovely... but don't forget the part about bashing the babies' heads in against the rocks... That's in there too.
nice words keep it up there ska for life ...
@@giuseppelogiurato5718 and what will happen to scoffers and skeptics
❤
Lyrics from Psalm 137, the Holy Bible 😎🙏
My late mum actually said often she preferred this version to Boney M that was more popular and I agree with her
Me too...
Yes
For the the wicked. Carried us away in captivity , required from us a song. We got to sing it together!
Yes this is music
Yo también. Saludos desde Barranquilla.
1970s..the basement parties in London..home away from home for we immigrant West Indians. One of the many Rock steady, Reggae genres that brought us so much happiness. Didn't expect to reconnect in the US.. Yes, these songs live on.!!!
Easily one of the top Reggae songs of all time. I never tire of listening to this classic.
Eternal Reggae classic. Pure genius 🇯🇲
Shalom family 💞
The song is a message from our forefathers kidnapped from their home lands taken to the Arab lands in captivity. Slaved in salt mines and swamps of Iraq.When they revolted 500,000 were slaughtered by the Arabs. History thanks and blessings to the Caribbean peoples
Jah be blessed.
This is psalm 137:1. It happened to the Isrealites too.
Goes deeper than that, brethren.
Its a message from your own forefathers who were taken from their homes in africa and taken to the canefields in the Caribbean and the americas . Whats even more tragic is those white european Christian slavers would have read the psalms every sunday and didnt care one jot about your forefathers in fact even. More sinister they removed those verses from your slave bibles to stop younthinking about freedom
"brethren"? @@cavemanrob
Closing my eyes I am having conch chowder and a cold red stripe at Kaisers cafe on seven mile beach Negril Jamaica 1969! Good times and good friends!
My dad used to sing this song to us and we love it.
THIS SONG IS A TREASURE SINCE THEY ARE THE ORIGINAL SINGERS.
Well, yes, but the ORIGINAL singer was King David of Judah and Israel... It's a psalm (#137)... Straight outta The Bible.
@@giuseppelogiurato5718 it was taken from two psalms actually.
This is the original they recorded it in the sixties i was about 5 or six years old i watch them rehearsed this song melodians my brother lead sing RIP Tony
It's great to know this is the original song. Highly appreciate it!
Psalm 137?
@@remicornwall754 2 psalms are the original. Tradditional but it is to say that The Melodiens stoled it for the first time and gave their own stample on it.
@@jennymusic4031how can u steal a song ur ancestors sang?
@@bm_locks the song was for the first time recorded by The Melodiens with using 2 psalms as basic.
Because the song was older than 30 years are there no people who have the owner rights. And probably are they even unknown. But for sure didn't The Melodiens wrote the lyrics themselves. So the producer of Boney M. thought he could do the same but his version was too much based on The Melodiens version. So the producer had to add 2 members of The Melodiens for the song too and not only his name. The Melodiens released their Rivers of Babylon in Boney M.'s hit time,summer 1978, but it failed,no succes and only a little in 1969/1970. But they became sleepy rich by Boney M. who sold 20.000.000 copies of Rivers of Babylon. And also the song on their third album and many compilation albums.
This is pure Bible verses❤ It was written thousands of years ago, and finally put to song one day. And it was THIS lovely tune right here❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
The only "pop" song actually, isin't it... out of the bible songs? and beautifully musicallized. I love it!
It has nothing to do with your Bible at all.
@@uncahay Rivers of Babylon word for word quotes Psalms.
@@serpentcrusher8110 I know, but that's inconsequential. I guess I should've said "it has nothing to do with Christianity".
It has something to do with Christianity as well.
But also Buddhism.
“Let the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart be acceptable in Thy sight from now on.“
This is a prayer to the Lord of the Bible.
But It could also easily be a request of the Great Spirit of many native peoples beliefs.
In fact, look how similar this is and yet presages quite closely the meaning of what will become famously known as “The First Agreement” from Don Miguel Ruiz book, THE FOUR AGREEMENTS.
“Be Impeccable With Your Word”
which, according to the book, is THE most important agreement to learn.
“Let the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart be acceptable in thy sight from now on”
First time I've listened to this after learning this is the original version
Me too ....
I always thought this was Sublimes song…. Then hear Boney M. version and thought that was the original…. But turns out this one is…
Me too. Today the 30th of August 2021 I have just discovered that this is the original
@@resteazy7311 real good
Best cover of Psalm 137 verses 1-4 I've ever heard.
How can we sing a Lord's song in a strangers land 😭😭😭😭
King Alpha's song.
The Melodians are the MOST UNDERRATED group in history, very melodic!
From I was a child I have been singing this song ..
the underrated comment
LOL there are so many underrated bands on Trojan records, most records on that label are amazing
@@franchescopye6551 yes Trojan records is a goldmine
we sang this in highschool choir, God bless you Mr Smith wherever you are
This was pure biblical message to human kind
About the true children of isreal
Lyrics:
By the rivers of Babylon
Where he sat down
And there he wept
When he remembered Zion
But the wicked carried us away in captivity
Required from us a song
How can we sing King Alpha song in a strange land?
'Cause the wicked carried us away in captivity
Required from us a song
How can we sing King Alpha song in a strange land?
Sing it out loud
Sing a song of freedom, sister
Sing a song of freedom, brother
We gotta sing and shout it
We gotta jump and shout it
Shout the song of freedom now
So let the words of our mouth
And the meditation of our heart
Be acceptable in Thy sight, oh Far I
So let the words of our mouth
And the meditation of our heart
Be acceptable in Thy sight, oh Far I
Sing it again!
We've got to sing it together
We've got to shout it together
By the rivers of Babylon
Where we sat down
And there we wept
When we remembered Zion
Oh, the wicked carried us away in captivity
Required from us a song
How can we sing King Alpha's song in a strange land?
'Cause the wicked carried us away in captivity
Required from us a song
How can we sing King Alpha's song in a strange land?
Sing it, sing it, sing it
We've got to sing it, brother
We've got to sing it, sister
🙏🏽
"Fari" is one word. As in "Ras Tafari"
Thank you for include the "Sing it out loud/ We've gotta sing it together" parts. I think it's called "bridge/break"
🙏🎶🎵🎶
Potent lyrics. Thanks for posting.
Sweet Sensation was definitely my favourite... one of the 1st recordings played in Top Rank suite and Rainbow in Birmingham.... takes me back ... reminds me of Vivian Mcgill 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Massive tune for the Melodians. When my dad held parties in the 70s, I used to hear this get draw. At the end of the day, we are all Israelites.
There are times that an original version of a song is far and way the best version....and here`s an example.
Truly wonderful vocals and terrific production makes this a classic.
@@zltpsm whether this is better or not, what decide is your personal taste.
True indeed. No other version comes anywhere close to date...
Both versions good for different reasons. Boney-M version upbeat and this version showing the reggae roots
Spoken with a heart full of longing for their homeland....very sad song actually but full of soul, and that's what makes it so great. Just fantastic and one of my all-time favorites. Bless these souls, what an unbelievable history, and that they survived...!!
Babylon is in Iraq, though.
@@Mitch93 Babylon is symbolic of a wicked powerful empire doing wrong; not a specific place
@@maaruz1979 But it WAS a place AND an Empire.
@@Mitch93 yes, true, but in Jamaican Rastafari usage it is used to represent the present day 'Babylon'...that is any powerful governmental force which oppresses the poor or unfortunate
This song always makes me tear up.
For the wicked carried us away into captivity; required of us a song… how can we sing of our song in a strange land?
So let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts, be acceptable in thy sight, oh fari
Beautiful
I have to say again one of the best songs ever
This always moves me: Zion as a promise that was finally fulfilled
Oh my sweet lord almighty
Great Caribbean sound . Very special.
Somewhere songs are born, thank God.
super song
Por Dios no sabía que había una primera versión y llevo mas de cuarenta años escuchándola, hermosa , preciosa melodía
Yo tampoco sabía hasta que hace unos minutos me topé con un short que habla de esta canción y esta hermosa ❤, saludos cordiales 👋
@@claridad8858
Creo que vimos el mismo short.
Yo tampoco. He aprendido algo nuevo ❤
Me.ha sucedido exactamente lo mismo, he quedado sorprendido y esta tan bella como la que siempre hemos escuchado de Boney M.
Só vim descobrir esta banda agora , que pena? Mais ainda da tempo kkkkk .são muito lindos gracias. Brasil ❤
Bless you. Your mama is with you.. Love rules xxxxxxxx ❤❤❤
The context of this song can make people to cry.
YES!
Jimmy Cliff in ‘Harder they come ‘ movie , was the 1st time that I heard this song. Truly inspiring song.
O I just washed club Paradise with Robin Williams last night and Jimmy Cliff was in it
Reminds me of when I was a child growing up in Jamaica (a place I've never been).
I've recently discovered Trojan records for myself and I'm hooked!
better late than never eh?
What a beautiful song!❤️🖤💚
..one of thee best Reggae hits ive played on jukeboxs
Both versions are beautiful🕊️
This is solid Gold! It's way before my time, but I love it! Nothing today comes close! 😀.
Moon, 62, skinhead, we keep the Faith, still stomping 😅
This song brings deep sad feelings about my dad's older brother who unfortunately passed away when he was 25 yrs old. Before he passed he told his Mom my darling grandmother that he. was crossing the river of Jordan & that Jesus was on the other side waiting ✋️ to receive 🙏 😳 Jim. It's very true but very sad how he died, bit back then their parents were stricter. The old generation & they were raised worst than us. But the Khan's were very well respected & highly honored 🎖 they were filled with million dollar laughters & great minds. I'm very proud of my family,good great friends & now new ❤️ 💖 a darling that I'm so dying to be with & snuggle with
❤❤😊❤😂❤❤❤❤🎉🎉
We sang this in a monsoon rain for 3 miles, to the Parque Corcovado, Peninsula de Osa. It was a blast!!
Wish I was there!
These music will last forever
Rastafari forever loving Jah!
What a tune. Still get chills. Love it.
They sung it with soul
The Bible will never be irrelevant, because this is were we learned from King David the chanting psalms! Jah!
The Original!! Great Classic-Song!!!
The last time I saw Jimmy Cliff he was doing this with nothing but a hand drum. He had the whole place singing along. Great song, I first heard the hymn it's based on in church before I can recall.
Sometime in 89/90ish I saw Jimmy in Chicago at the Riv in Uptown. They started with this. They did it acapella with a drum circle. It was breath taking.
They held back Limbo and Harder They Come until the encore. I was lucky enough to catch a lot of heavies back then. Burning Spear, Yellow Man, Bunny Wailer, Steel Pulse, more.. Cliff had the best show by far.
@@thomasdillman154 Jimmy Cliff is absolutely breathtaking live. Was lucky enough to catch a performance of his in 2012.
Simply amazing.
Skamania County, 1980: sitting in the crummy next to a treeplanting unit, waiting for the Forest Service to show up, singing this song so sweetly that we did not stop when the FS finally showed up. Golden days...
There are at least two great musical settings of this Old Testament prayer. One is the chorus "Va, pensiero" from Verdi's opera "Nabucco." The other is this one.
Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up. - Jeremiah 14:2
Did this song acapella with my friends many times...How beautiful to hear the original
Don't stop
Acapella? Like Bobby McFerrin? Don't worry, be happy? Good job!
@@giuseppelogiurato5718 Pretty much like that. We were on a gig and my friend Kenny White sprung it. It was fun. Full of mistakes. Full of music.
Music like pain tells you that you are still alive.
By the Rivers of Babylon
Like being in a Baptist Church full of faith!
Doesn't get much better!
Time to do it again❤
White man living in Small Heath in 1960 attending parties in Muntz Street, Fox Hollies drinking Barley Wine and Blues Parties in Golden Hilloock road, smoking weed, standing next to Bass speakers bigger than me. Let’s not forget The Small Arms, The Malt Shovel either. Great times, Races mixing and no shit, just good times. Todays youth, fighting gangs, waste of time and energy. Much better now living in the West of Ireland on home grown. Boomshankar
So much feeling , great song
Never heard this before.
Incredible feeling in it. ❤️
Me too first time hearing this version. True reggae.
@@tshwenyegomakhaza9980 This IS the Original! So, so good!!!
One of the Best Rock Steady songs 💋❤💞🎇
What a great tune! I first heard this on the radio in the 80s. One of the best gospel tunes ever written and performed by the immortal Melodians! 💎
I love this ❤
Hearing this beautiful classic,, others immediately came to mind,, including Desmond Dekker & The Aces "Fu Manchu",, The Poineers "Long Shot Kick De Bucket",, Jacob (The Killer) Miller "A Chapter A Day"Jimmy Cliff "Many Rivers To Cross"
Awwww this is Original to who don’t know blessings 🙌👋☝️👍❤️🔥🇯🇲❤️🇯🇲🎵🎼🎤
So this is the original song, before Boney M? Boney M changed the lyrics to : How can we sing « The Lord’s Song » in a strange land (which corresponds more to the psalm)?
One of the few memories I have of my childhood...listening to this on Sunday mornings with my parents
Beloved music
such a sweet melody, so much punch, the harmonies melt my heart
This song is the key! Ye is indeed vindicated. 🙂😁
Very early on Radio in Ghana you hear this song played by Freddie Quarcoe my brother. Good old days
What a tune...pure!
I bought this. It was released on Summit in the UK. I still have it.
Love, love and LOVE! I thought Boney M. put that out first. The Melodians… cool. Thanks!
The Melodiens were the first ones who killed 2 traddition Bible Psalms into an own song. They ended the tradditional status of it.
Boney M. had finally to add the writers of The Melodiens too for their version. It was too much based on their version. Not on only the psalms.
The labels on the record in the video are great!
This song is gospel classic. Rasta classic, all religion classic. Will never get old. One of the songs i have always cherished as a child.
Only know this is the original one.
Thank u.
First heard this on a Ronstadt album long ago. Then was fortunate to see Jimmy Cliff sing it in Seattle late 80s. And now I find this and it's, well, nirvana. God, I love UA-cam . . . .
Man, I used to hear this Sirius XM The Joint all the time!❤❤❤
Mes premières émotion Reggae, grâce à The Meridians, il y a...un certain temps ! Vous êtes à jamais présents dans mon coeur, Chers Artistes !!!!
When I first heard this beautiful tune in 1970, it was HUGE . I regarded it then as the No.1 Reggae Anthem .
I first heard this on the soundtrack of the film The Harder They Come. Turned me on to reggae.
From mi a youth over forty years. They sang the Word.
Original Singers On this Particular song, - The Melodians. Thank You For Keeping it on UA-cam. Highly Appreciated, This Is Year 2022, Merry Christmas to All People Around the World, From Beyond The Sea. Thank You For Listening.
Evergreen. Love from Nobekaw, Ghana
Ghanaians love reggae.
@@YaoEspirito Ghanaians love fufu too
@@pietrodwomo9090
Paa paa.
... in addition to the correct comment earlier, another part of this songs lyrics are from Psalm 19;
Psalm 19:14
King James Version
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Praise the Lord
@@shupingmurphy1026 Amen
Amen
A beautiful song
Oh my, true tune 🎶, I played it and played it back in the '70s,,❤️
Sublime brought me here and opened me up to every kind of music. God bless
My girl had many Trojan 45's but we split & kept them never played them but had my Collection of most back..nice to hear the original man..
A Badass Blast From The Past....! Anyone Here 9/27/2019....???
Still looking, listening and loving the music Jan 2020
March 24 2020 Beautiful song.
Me....
I love this song, always puts me in a wistful mood
In a state of pure bliss at the moment
Beatiful message...good people keep doing good.
A great song and truth for all people from the Bible.
This just put me in a good mood.
Thanks 🙏 for this post...!
Never knew that was not boney M the composers...!
The Boney M version is also wonderful..❤️🙌
A tradditional take out of the bible.
The Melodiens were the first who used it and put their own stample on it. They were the first owners.
So the producer of the rework of Boney M. had to add their names too!