1 As by the streams of Babylon
We captives sat with anxious fears;
Then we dear Zion thought upon,
And melted into streams of tears.
2 Our harps, our instruments of joy,
Which us'd with chearful songs to sound,
We hung upon the willow trees
Which on the shaded banks abound.

3 Because our foes, who all conspir'd
To triumph in our slavish wrongs;
Musick and mirth of us requir'd;
'Come sing us one of Zion's songs.'
4 But, ah! how cou'd we guide our hands
To play, with hearts so full of woes?
Sing Zion's songs in heathen lands,
JEHOVAH's hymns to chear his foes?

5 O dear Jerusalem! if I
Ever of thee forgetful grow;
Let me the skill of my right hand
For ever wholly cease to know.
6 Let my tongue to my palate cleave,
If thee remember should not I,
Or don't prefer Jerusalem,
Above my highest earthly joy,

7 LORD, Thou remembrest Edom's son,
Who on Jerulalem's sad day,
'To the foundation raze her!' cry'd;
'Raze, raze her!' out aloud cry'd they.
8 O Babel's daughter! doom'd to fall!
That conqueror shall blessed be,
Who, just as thou hast done to us,
Will do in righteousness to thee!

9 Yea, he shall blessed be by heav'n,
Who shall by heav'n employed be,
Upon the stones to dash thy face,
And end thy cruel progeny.