About The Song
For those who might not remember, “Rivers of Babylon” wasn’t actually written by Boney M. It’s a reimagining of Psalm 137 from the Bible. This psalm tells the story of the Jewish people who were exiled to Babylon after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. By the banks of the Euphrates River, they sat and wept, unable to sing their songs of praise in a foreign land.
Farian’s adaptation masterfully captures this poignant sentiment. The song opens with the melancholic refrain, “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yeah we wept, when we remembered Zion.” The simple, yet powerful, lyrics evoke a sense of loss and displacement. We can almost feel the despair of the exiles as they yearn for their homeland.
However, “Rivers of Babylon” isn’t just a lament. It’s also a testament to the enduring power of faith. Even in captivity, the Jewish people clung to their God. The lyrics ask, “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?” This question reflects their inner struggle: how can they sing songs of praise when their hearts are filled with sorrow?
The answer comes in the form of a prayer: “Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight.” Despite their hardships, they express a desire to remain faithful. This quiet plea for solace adds a layer of depth to the song, making it more than just a catchy disco tune.
Boney M.’s “Rivers of Babylon” may have dominated the disco scene in 1978, but its message transcends time. It’s a reminder of the human spirit’s ability to find hope even in the face of adversity. So, put on your dancing shoes, turn up the volume, and let’s take a trip down memory lane – by the rivers of Babylon, where faith and disco collide.