Rivers of Babylon
Boney M.
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By the rivers of babylon, there we sat down Ye-eah we wept, when we remembered zion. By the rivers of babylon, there we sat down Ye-eah we wept, when we remembered zion. When the wicked Carried us away in captivity Required from us a song Now how shall we sing the lord's song in a strange land When the wicked Carried us away in captivity Requiering of us a song Now how shall we sing the lord's song in a strange land Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah let the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart Be acceptable in thy sight here tonight Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts Be acceptable in thy sight here tonight By the rivers of babylon, there we sat down Ye-eah we wept, when we remembered zion. By the rivers of babylon, there we sat down Ye-eah we wept, when we remembered zion. By the rivers of babylon (dark tears of babylon) There we sat down (you got to sing a song) Ye-eah we wept, (sing a song of love) When we remember zion. (yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah) By the rivers of babylon (rough bits of babylon) There we sat down (you hear the people cry) Ye-eah we wept, (they need their god) When we remember zion. (ooh, have the power) By the rivers of babylon, there we sat down Ye-eah we wept, when we remembered zion.
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Written by: Brent Dowe, Frank Farian, George Reyam, Trevor McNaughton
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Origin"Rivers of Babylon" was originally recorded by the Jamaican reggae band "The Melodians" in 1970.
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InspirationThe song lyrics are adapted from the Biblical Psalms 137 and 19. The Psalms narrate the despair and longing of the Jewish people during Babylonian exile.
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Record labels"The Melodians" released the song under the record label "Beverley's Records", while "Boney M." released it with "Hansa Records."
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Worldwide hitBoney M.’s version of "Rivers of Babylon" was released in 1978 and became a major global hit, reaching the top 10 charts in 20 countries.
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UK Charts HistoryThe song spent five weeks at the No.1 spot on the UK Singles Chart, making Boney M. the first band since The Beatles to have two singles in the UK's top 10 at the same time.
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LanguageThe song includes a few lines in the Rastafarian language.
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Triple PlatinumIn the UK alone, "Rivers of Babylon" sold not less than two million copies and is one of the few singles to have achieved triple platinum status.
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7th Best-selling SingleIn the UK, it is the seventh best-selling single of all time.
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Cover VersionsBesides Boney M., "Rivers of Babylon" has been covered by various musicians worldwide including Sublime, Linda Ronstadt, and Steve Earle.
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Soundtrack InclusionThe Melodians' original version of the song was included in the soundtrack of the 1972 movie "The Harder They Come."
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Annual salesThe song has maintained consistent annual sales and downloads even after four decades of its release, especially during the times of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
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The Melodians' AwardsIn 2019, The Melodians' version of "Rivers of Babylon" was added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry for its cultural, historical and aesthetic importance.
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Citation
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"Rivers of Babylon Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/4873189/Boney+M./Rivers+of+Babylon>.
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