Don McLean - Babylon Lyrics






Singing in 'rounds', first person sings once right through, then second person
starts when first person reaches second verse, third person when second reaches
second verse, and so on...

By the waters
The waters
Of Babylon.

We lay down and wept
And wept
For thee Zion.

We remember
Thee remember
Thee remember
Thee Zion





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Don McLean Babylon Comments
  1. S.... H....

    Zion Williamson brought me here

  2. C.... S....

    1/22/20
    Zion Williamson brought me here.

  3. M.... ....

    You can't expect God to do all the work...

  4. A.... G....

    sad but amysing

  5. P.... H....

    This song is so hauntingly beautiful

  6. 0.... J....

    Mystery Babylon America coming judgments Revelation 17,18

  7. B.... M....

    Psalm 137

  8. B.... V....

    I've always listened to Don McLean. This is one of the rare times when the audience wasn't a disturbing voice.

  9. �.... �....

    Poor Palestinians

  10. A.... G....

    Powerfull

  11. D.... S....

    Great song with moving banjo.

  12. s.... ....

    The Byzantine empire forced the Jews out of Palestine in the 6th century BC. As they were marched away from the section of southern Palestine in which they had lived for about two thousand years, (which they called Zion) they sat down beside the Euphrates river, which divided the Byzantine city of Babylon; and wept for the homeland from which they were being exiled. That is what this song is about.

  13. o.... y....

    al neharot bavel sham yashavno gam bahino, bezochreno et zion

  14. o.... y....

    עַל נַהֲרוֹת בָּבֶל שָׁם יָשַׁבְנוּ גַּם בָּכִינוּ, בְּזָכְרֵנוּ אֶת צִיּוֹן.

  15. B.... t....

    Audiences are awesome

  16. w.... ....

    Imagine having the ability and skill to make a choir out of the audience

  17. L.... C....

    I love it but did any of the men in the audience sing?

  18. L.... X....

    BBC 4's amazing documentary brought me here.

    Wow this is amazing.

  19. N.... R....

    I love this album.thanx

  20. S.... W....

    Babylon kingdom must fall.

  21. s.... f....

    mad men fellas

  22. �.... v....

    My teacher brought me here lol

  23. B.... B....

    This song is addictive

  24. G.... M....

    Wow, my goosebumps became alive when the audience started their duet. DAYUM!

  25. M.... L....

    Love Zion Hog Shavout

  26. �.... �....

    שיר נהדר.ביצוע נהדר

  27. t.... 0....

    kurtarmadigimiz irk kalmamis bi kendimize hayrimiz yok herkesin köpekliğini yapiyoruz.belki birgün bi ben gurion çikarda bizi kurtarir.

  28. E.... W....

    This album was "our album" when we were first married. Still going now on year 32!

  29. Y.... E....

    Mad Men'den gelip gidemeyenler..

  30. T.... ....

    My youth long ago brought me here. Don McClean is not only about American Pie, though it's a great song :)

  31. G.... S....

    Turkey 🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷 2018

  32. t.... r....

    That audience sounds great. Did people just used to be better at singing in general bank then?

  33. R.... T....

    i s t h i s s o n g a c r y f o r v e n g a n c e?

    8
    Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction,
    happy is the one who repays you
    according to what you have done to us.
    9
    Happy is the one who seizes your infants
    and dashes them against the rocks

  34. U.... G....

    My music teacher used this to train our vocals

  35. B.... S....

    So many edgy anti-religious comments. Yet, if it weren’t for the meaning behind the lyrics, this song would carry no impact. Listen to the music and empathize. Just my 2 cents worth.

    B.... S....

    Well said. It`s as simple as that

  36. _.... E....

    Türkler gelin

  37. D.... G....

    Don Billin

  38. O.... P....

    I remember watching Mad Men with my father and then this song came up. I rarely saw him cry in front of me and there he was pouring tears sitting by my side. He passed two years ago. Now I listen to this song and I remember. And always will

    O.... P....

    And did you asked him why he cried? I know it's touching, but I'm courious about what personal memory he was brought to by the song.

    O.... P....

    Luz The scene is how the season comes to a close, and pushes past the idea of superficiality in the plot and reminds the viewer how deep the story actually runs.

    O.... P....

    I’m not crying, you’re crying...

  39. T.... ....

    This is a masterpiece!

  40. M.... ....

    The song is wonderful and I love the scene in Mad Meb, but isn't it an anachronism?
    The version of Don McLean came out in 1972, while Mad Men is set ten years before (especially this scene is 1960 I think)...

    M.... ....

    I think the series meant to show the early don mclean, like he was singing this before recording it..>
    But, agreed, it's anacronic

    M.... ....

    Don McLean covered the song in 1971, but the original is by Philip Hayes in 1786!  

    The Don McLean version is based on an arrangement by Lee Hayes of The Weavers in the 1940s. And of course the poetry was written in the 7th Century BCE.

    http://thebirdsings.com/babylon/

  41. A.... O....

    I hope that one day we Iranians will kick out the Khomeinist invaders from our country and get back our "Zion" once again.

  42. M.... S....

    The perfect blending of melody, lyrics and sentiment interpreting Psalm 137

  43. a.... a....

    Esta buena canción es tradicional de Jamaica y la versiono DON MCLEAN y la canto y la publico en el año 1972

  44. A.... S....

    Don Mcleand's songs are deep just like digging something.Just for my simple understanding.the mysteries,the great,the harlot,The abbominations.Icant comprehend though rememberd or partakers of her lust.i wondered with great wonder.This world has many victims especially Jesus.I have bitter emotions and bitter injustice which led to a cursing Psalms.sorry i had very bad experiences in life...

  45. H.... S....

    playboy tv series brought me here

  46. G.... F....

    israel 🇮🇱

  47. C.... ....

    Bible, Psalm 137

    C.... ....

    Psalm 137:1 By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept, When we remembered Zion. 2 Upon the willows in the midst thereof We hanged up our harps. 3 For there they that led us captive required of us songs, And they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. 4 How shall we sing Jehovah's song In a foreign land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget her skill. 6 Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I remember thee not; If I prefer not Jerusalem Above my chief joy. 7 Remember, O Jehovah, against the children of Edom The day of Jerusalem; Who said, Rase it, rase it, Even to the foundation thereof. 8 O daughter of Babylon, that art to be destroyed, Happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee As thou hast served us. 9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones Against the rock. (ASV)

  48. P.... R....

    i wish my spirit could remember zion.

  49. C.... E....

    Mad Men??? What is that? This is from the verse in the Bible which describes the mourning of the Jewish people after they had been taken from Judea and brought to Babylon. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
    137:2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.
    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.
    137:4 How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land?
    137:5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
    137:6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.
    137:7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
    137:8 O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.
    137:9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

  50. R.... S....

    This track is also used in Season 1 Episode 8 of Amazon's "American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story", which might seem a bit odd at first, but it's in a melancholic part of the episode that covers one of the tragedies in Hefner's life.

    Anyway, it is a very beautiful song; haunting in its simplicity (and of course deeper than the Amazon series it was used in most recently.) So I came here to look it up. I was unfamiliar with it prior to this.

  51. W.... ....

    Never seen Madmen. I heard this song as a kid on a cassette i used to own.

  52. G.... M....

    i don't know if i cry or if i smile. It is so beautiful

  53. h.... s....

    Love this song... humbling.

  54. D.... A....

    wow the ending is incredible

  55. B.... W....

    by the rivers of Babylon, where we sat down, yeah we wept, when we remember Zion
    and the wicked carried us away captivity, required from us a song. but how can we sing the lord's own song in this strange land?

  56. A.... S....

    makes my cry...

  57. J.... S....

    Is this based on Psalm 137?

    J.... S....

    Yes, verse 1

    J.... S....

    After I commented I found out myself - thanks for answering! I put Psalm 137 to music too-- would love feedback. :D

  58. W.... ....

    Don performed this song in the midst of the Yom Kippur War.

    W.... ....

    Jayden Banks speak for yourself

    W.... ....

    Based God naw I’ll speak for Christians

    W.... ....

    Jayden Banks yeah no I’m Christian so how about I speak for you? See how absurd you sound? Not all of us support Israel it’s only fanatical evangelicals

    W.... ....

    Based God The Bible says-“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
    - Genesis 12:1-3

    For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch.
    - Isaiah 62:1

    Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they that love thee shall prosper. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will say now, peace be within thee. For the sake of the House of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.
    – Psalm 122

    “I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.”
    – Isaiah 62:6-7

    They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.
    - Romans 15:27 (NIV)

    Your not a Christian the fact that you call Christians who follow the Bible fanatics shows your fruit. So I’ll speak for Christians not self professing Christians who Paul calls cumba Crete’s. Greek for fake or false having the appearance of Godiness but denying its authority

    W.... ....

    Based God You know I’m so tight it’s people like you with your anti Semitic bs that got these jews killed today in my city. Jersey city

  59. D.... H....

    I like this song. It has a german version called "nach dieser Erde"

  60. L.... G....

    Wow, that was amazing.

  61. m.... c....

    A classic, very moving. Rediscovered it in Mad Men

  62. R.... H....

    OK XXX

  63. G.... D....

    babil'in suyu akar serindir, serindir.

  64. S.... H....

    Haunting

  65. J.... O....

    Funny how he didn't sing the entire Psalm. It ends with "Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks."

    J.... O....

    +Victor Deavers It does. Here is the whole Psalm 137 (ESV)

    1By the waters of Babylon,
    there we sat down and wept,
    when we remembered Zion.
    2On the willowsa there
    we hung up our lyres.
    3For there our captors
    required of us songs,
    and our tormentors, mirth, saying,
    “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

    4How shall we sing the LORD’s song
    in a foreign land?
    5If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
    let my right hand forget its skill!
    6Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth,
    if I do not remember you,
    if I do not set Jerusalem
    above my highest joy!

    7Remember, O LORD, against the Edomites
    the day of Jerusalem,
    how they said, “Lay it bare, lay it bare,
    down to its foundations!”
    8O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed,
    blessed shall he be who repays you
    with what you have done to us!
    9Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones
    and dashes them against the rock!

    J.... O....

    +Jay Ouzts lol probably because of the common denial of things such as that being in the Bible..... Which is funny because I'd say that line is basically the epitome of what is wrong with that religion in the first place.

    J.... O....

    In context, the Jews are being led away in captivity with the Babylonians having just destroyed their Temple and engaging in what we would now describe as ethnic cleansing and cultural genocide.

    The Babylonian soldiers demand the Jews play music for their captors, so the Jews reluctantly string their harps, sing verses 5-9 and take a bit of cathartic revenge on their tormenters in the final lines.

    J.... O....

    I'm glad somebody mentioned this. Some people want to quote the Bible out of context these days to spread their distaste, but have very little understanding of the circumstances behind the writings.

    J.... O....

    @Space Octopus The New Testament isn't quite so violent.

  66. J.... K....

    No instrument is more powerful than the human voice. Every time I listen to this song I can't help but turn up my volume and sing along with the chorus.

  67. t.... ....

    A grand angel choir, sang by people like you and me.

    t.... ....

    Indeed, I'm very impressed by that audience (although I'd guess the people who knew they were REALLY bad singers just abstained).

  68. A.... ....

    My chorus class is gonna sing this.

  69. b.... ....

    Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii ohh iiiiiiiiiiiiii oh iiiiiiiiiiiii smacked my wife.

  70. m.... ....

    Manfred Mann used the melody and the "By the waters" line in the song Babylon on The Roaring Silence.

  71. N.... G....

    Haunting.

  72. M.... B....

    I feel in my soul

    M.... B....

    You were there.

  73. R.... S....

    Wasn't this song written in the 70s, after Mad Men?

    R.... S....

    the original german one was written in the 13th century but I don't actually know when this one was written😊💙

    R.... S....

    it was original written 2000 years ago. it's a psalm (i thinks psalm 137)

    R.... S....

    +Aninja yeah sure but i meant the german song ;)

    R.... S....

    +Rick T It is from the bible... Tehilim 137

    R.... S....

    Don McLean covered the song in 1971, but the original is by Philip Hayes in 1786!  

    The Don McLean version is based on an arrangement by Lee Hayes of The Weavers in the 1940s. And of course the poetry was written in the 7th Century BCE.

    @t

  74. M.... ....

    This was arraigned by both Don McLean and Lee Hays (1914-1981) of the seminal folk group The Weavers (his banjo styling is prominent in this). The melody is based on a canon by Philip Hayes (1738-1797), and the lyrics from Psalm 137.

  75. A.... ....

    Singing in 'rounds', first person sings once right through, then second person 
    starts when first person reaches second verse, third person when second reaches 
    second verse, and so on...

    By the waters
    The waters
    Of Babylon.

    We lay down and wept
    And wept
    For thee Zion.

    We remember
    Thee remember
    Thee remember
    Thee Zion

    A.... ....

    yes, this is how my family and I sang it. beautiful song, and way always a pick me up after my favourite 'the grave'.

    A.... ....

    We sand this song in 7th grade choir class. And in 8th grade.

  76. A.... M....

    You just can't beat an acoustic guitar and a voice or two

    A.... M....

    +Annie M This is a banjo

    A.... M....

    +Savoy209 close enough. my meaning was that you don't need a 5 piece band and a lot of theatrics. I should have said you can't beat an acoustic stringed instrument (banjo, guitar, mandolin,etc) and 1 or 2 voices

    A.... M....

    @Annie M I agree. I was never a fan of over produced music,I can't enjoy it. I prefer this.

    A.... M....

    +Annie M Or a couple hundred ;) The crowd participation on this is pretty good

  77. T.... F....

    I've always loved this version but didn't know it was Don McLean.  Lovely! :-) xx

  78. S.... J....

    Such a beautiful sounding song that I had not heard before until I watched an episode of Mad Men.  The tune is memorable, and very enjoyable to sing.  It's pastiche, reminiscent of renaissance rounds, is right up my alley.

    It's unfortunate that I will never sing it.  The text is from Psalm 137.  It's about regret and the contemplation of revenge including the threat of dashing of Babylonian children on the rocks.

    S.... J....

    Like most cultural artifacts, its best to discard what offends you, keep what is of value. We have become less brutal as a civilization which is a good thing. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. It is a beautiful song of lamenting and longing for your rightful place in the world.

    S.... J....

    +Susannah Greenberg I need to research the Yom Kippur War more. I know the USS Liberty incident occurred there when Israeli fighter jets mistakingly attacked a US ship (they say it was an accident at least). I know it involved Egypt and Syria and Golder Meir was Israels president at the time. Palestine were involved too I think, would make sense. Didn't it connect with the lead up to the October War?

    S.... J....

    +Susannah Greenberg Liberty was during the 6 day Arab war, unless they were the same thing? It was definitely in 1967. Israel was fighting against Egypt, Iran and Syria.

    S.... J....

    From our natural right, of being different, of being Jews, we grow the morality of our whole kind, all human beings. This is how it has been in the past 3,500 years.

    S.... J....

    @Susannah Greenberg That is wise advice; and an incisive insight into the meaning of the song.

  79. A.... H....

    In Islam we have this idea that we share the same source as Judaism and Christianity. There are more references to Moses than Muhammed (pbut) in the Quran, this is supposed to be a prediction that one day Muslims will bear some resemblance to Jews.

    A.... H....

    +Abid Hussain VC is, unfortunately, not an informed or properly educated person. It is sad. The world would be a lot better if people had more common sense and love in their hearts.

    A.... H....

    @Maria de Eça IM getting my master degree lol.YOu idiot liberals can all fuck off. Just because what I said falls short of your ideological positions doesn't mean I'm wrong. Also failing to provide a counter argument to what I said and attempting, and failing BTW, to attack me personally only illustrates your inaptitiude as far as this argument goes. Now fuck off back to tumblr and stop wasting my time

    A.... H....

    +VC Ch9119 This will be my last post. . hopefully ever, on the youtubes, as getting in a debate with an arrogant and petulant child in a youtube comments section will start to make me question whats become of my life. . . but I wanted to add a thought to your comment, Maria. I agree for the most part, but I'd make the claim that the problem isn't so much with VC's intellect (I'd wager he's approximately average on that front) or his education (I'll wager he may even be slightly above avg on this front), but the fact that his education wasn't a true education, it wasn't a broad and objective search for truth, but instead a dogmatic march towards a singular goal. He seems to have a passionate hatred for islam, and perhaps arabs in general. . and when you start from such a 'root', you'll seek a subjective education that merely confirms all of your existing beliefs and suspicions. . and, sadly, in turn, you'll end up embracing this as 'truth'. Some people truly do believe they're seeking truth and facts, when in reality they're merely trying to compile a case to defend a dogmatic stance, listening to a single side of a debate and shutting out completely all opposing views. . give him a few years.

    A.... H....

    I agree with you Justin. Cheers!

    VC many people have master degrees, that point is irrelevant. This is also not a matter of ideology, but humanity and so much more. Plus,I didn't force you to read my comment. Your arguments lack too many aspects (that in my book) are necessary for me to consider them arguments which is why I won't even bother to answer, but here's a piece of advice: just let go of all those angy feelings towards people, you'll feel better.

    A.... H....

    +VC Ch9119 You're kidding, right? Christianity is probably the worst. Do some research, you'll find they've been just as bad, if not worse at many times. All religion is wrong, but to act as if Christianity isn't as truly evil as it is, well that's just denial.

  80. D.... D....

    Like druidia9 I'm just here cause I like don McLean.

  81. Y.... ....

    Ta music je pourrai l'écouter des milliers et des milliers de fois car elle est magnifique

  82. A.... T....

    Its a great Song we sing the Song in the School

  83. c.... m....

    Fucking ...good song ...mad men brought me here

  84. d.... ....

    Have no idea what a Mad Men is, but I'm sure Don Mclean's music will outlive it.

    d.... ....

    OMG youtube should have a bot posting your answer whenever someone posts a comment of the like !

    d.... ....

    +viewtifulTM Who, me?

    d.... ....

    Hey look, 3 years in and your comment is still as fucking dumb as you are.

    d.... ....

    MAD MEN is fucking incredible and people will still be talking about it in 50 years

  85. D.... K....

    Enchanting..

  86. P.... L....

    Praying for the Peace of Israel.(Psalm 122:6)

  87. A.... D....

    great song

  88. j.... a....

    I fell in love with this melody. It is a very beautiful, yet simple one. The words used are haunting, but soothing. Scary, but with a glimpse of hope.

    I especially like the canon. The audience did a good job. They took it serious.

    Listening to this makes me feel feelings I never have felt.

    Also the point that you could argue over a lot is religion. Yes, the words are taken from a psalm, but at the same time something completely new was made out of them.

  89. A.... K....

    God, i miss the old folk singers. music like this just doesn't Exist anymore.

    A.... K....

    Then, recreate it. If you see something missing, you make it, write it... This is the only way we can create better world.

    A.... K....

    Dylan lives.

  90. A.... K....

    i remember this. i Love the audience participation long-version!

  91. I.... B....

    Great song we had to do this at school choir.

    I.... B....

    i sang it in Church Choir.

    I.... B....

    +Amy K Seavey I remember singing it both in public school and at Catholic Mass. Beautiful song, speaks to so many.

  92. J.... R....

    Manfred Mann's Earth Band tem uma versão extraordinária

  93. Z.... ....

    Mad Men, Episode 6, brought me here as well. A haunting, beautiful song.

    Z.... ....

    same here...

    Z.... ....

    @Milind Sathe yuuup

    Z.... ....

    ZenFox ?

  94. Z.... B....

    Blows the 1:41 original out of the water. Friggin WOW!

  95. n.... ....

    Reminds me of my time on Revivim,Negev

  96. A.... ....

    The song has that "Fiddler on the Roof" sound.  God Bless the Jews.  

  97. s.... p....

    Usually I'm not a fan when the audience sings to the performance.  This is an exception.

    s.... p....

    Have you heard Bobby McFerrin's Ave Maria audience singalong? I think you'll probably love it

    s.... p....

    It really only works with hymns and stuff. That's what they're made for.

    s.... p....

    I understand, you come for a artist....... not for the audience. Sometimes you have exeption. Greetings from the Netherlands 💝

  98. x.... ....

    Mad Men brought me here.

    x.... ....

    mad men

    x.... ....

    I also came here after hearing this song on Mad Men, which I am binge watching for the first time. I have known this song forever but forgot that it was Don McLean.