The song is based on the Biblical hymn Psalm 137:1-4, a hymn expressing the yearnings of the Jewish people in exile following the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC:[1]
“ By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion... They carried us away in captivity requiring of us a song... Now how shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land? ”
The namesake rivers of Babylon are the Euphrates river, its tributaries, and the Chebar river. The song also has words from Psalm 19:14:[2]
“ Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight... ”
In the Rastafarian faith, the term "Babylon" is used for any governmental system which is either oppressive or unjust. In Jamaica, Rastafarians also use "Babylon" to refer to the police, often seen as a source of oppression because they arrests members for the use of marijuana (which is sacramental for Rastafarians). Therefore, "By the rivers of Babylon" refers to living in a repressive society and the longing for freedom, just like the Israelites in captivity. Rastafarians also identify themselves as belonging to the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
Check also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haile_Selassie_I for information about Haile Selassie, (revered by Rastafarians...), who traced his roots back to King Solomon... so the tie-in between Rasta, Ethiopia, and Jewish people.
Check also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haile_Selassie_I for information about Haile Selassie, (revered by Rastafarians...), who traced his roots back to King Solomon... so the tie-in between Rasta, Ethiopia, and Jewish people.
The song is based on the Biblical hymn Psalm 137:1-4, a hymn expressing the yearnings of the Jewish people in exile following the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC:[1] “ By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion... They carried us away in captivity requiring of us a song... Now how shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land? ”
The namesake rivers of Babylon are the Euphrates river, its tributaries, and the Chebar river. The song also has words from Psalm 19:14:[2] “ Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight... ”
In the Rastafarian faith, the term "Babylon" is used for any governmental system which is either oppressive or unjust. In Jamaica, Rastafarians also use "Babylon" to refer to the police, often seen as a source of oppression because they arrests members for the use of marijuana (which is sacramental for Rastafarians). Therefore, "By the rivers of Babylon" refers to living in a repressive society and the longing for freedom, just like the Israelites in captivity. Rastafarians also identify themselves as belonging to the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
My prior post was a quotation from Wikipedia.
My prior post was a quotation from Wikipedia.
Check also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haile_Selassie_I for information about Haile Selassie, (revered by Rastafarians...), who traced his roots back to King Solomon... so the tie-in between Rasta, Ethiopia, and Jewish people.
Check also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haile_Selassie_I for information about Haile Selassie, (revered by Rastafarians...), who traced his roots back to King Solomon... so the tie-in between Rasta, Ethiopia, and Jewish people.