Since the band's establishment during college, Barefoot Truth has been developing this signature sound that has virally spread through a grassroots following. With their lead singer on drums, and an array of unlikely roots-based instrumentation, the band translates their originality to their ever-evolving live show. The quintet features Will Evans on lead vocals and drums, John Waynelovich on piano, Jay Driscoll on Weissenborn slide guitar, Andy Wrba on upright bass, and Garrett Duffy on harmonica. It is not unlikely for members of the band to switch instruments mid-show, or even begin playing a didjeridoo, adding to the dynamic of the band's sound.
Mixing a strong environmental message with the lofty theme of humankind's interconnectedness on their 2010 studio album 'Threads', Barefoot Truth reached #21 on the iTunes Rock Charts, momentarily stepping ahead of bands such as Dave Matthews Band and The Fray. The new disc was noted as "The best independently released album of 2010" by ThisIsModern. Barefoot Truth happily credits Pandora Radio for their crucial role in growing the band’s silent army of listeners, as Driscoll recently stated in a USA Today article, "Pandora has basically created an avenue for us to have a career in music".
Since taking the band 'full-time' in 2007, after finishing college, Barefoot Truth has earned spotlight attention on many levels, including an invitation to play at President Obama's pre-debate rally in New York, where they performed between Bruce Hornsby and Crosby and Nash. They were asked to lend several songs from their new album 'Threads' to the internationally acclaimed film 'Nature Propelled', in addition to scoring original music for the film. Barefoot Truth also lent their song 'Threads' to the video game 'Rock Band' (MTV Games). The band has also made appearances at major festivals such as Summerfest, 10,000 Lakes Festival, and FloydFest, in addition to tallying over 100 college and prepschool performances in the Northeast. Fans of Barefoot Truth can be confident that the quiet success of this small band will grow increasingly louder, one listener at a time...
Rivers of Babylon
Barefoot Truth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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.
"Babylon" was the capital of the ancient empire of Babylonia, a powerful city-state in Mesopotamia, which rose to prominence in the 18th century B.C. The rivers mentioned in the song are the Tigris and Euphrates, which flowed through Babylon. In the Jewish faith, Babylon was seen as the symbol of exile and oppression, and the lyrics reflect this sentiment.
The first repetition of the chorus signifies the despair of the people of Judah who had been taken captive by the Babylonians. The exiled Jews longed to return to their homeland, which the lyrics symbolize as "Zion." The second repetition of the chorus reflects their desperation even more strongly, as they are unable to sing the songs of their God in a strange land.
The song then transforms into a prayer, asking that the words they speak and the thoughts they have may be pleasing to God. The final repetition of the chorus brings the song back to the initial sorrow of being exiled, and the pain of remembering their lost land.
Line by Line Meaning
By the rivers of babylon, there we sat down
We found ourselves near the rivers of Babylon and decided to sit down and contemplate
Ye-eah we wept, when we remembered zion.
Our tears flowed when we remembered the place we call home, Zion
When the wicked
During a time of evil and hardship
Carried us away in captivity
When they took us away as prisoners
Required from us a song
They demanded that we sing for them
Now how shall we sing the lord's song in a strange land
But how can we sing a song for our God when we are in an unfamiliar place?
Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts
May the things we say and think be pleasing to you
Be acceptable in thy sight here tonight
May our actions be pleasing to you, even in this difficult moment
By the rivers of babylon (dark tears of babylon)
Near the rivers of Babylon, where our tears flowed like darkness
There we sat down (you got to sing a song)
We sat down, and they demanded that we sing
Ye-eah we wept, (sing a song of love)
And we cried as we sang about love
When we remember zion. (yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah)
Thinking about Zion reminded us of what we have lost
By the rivers of babylon (rough bits of babylon)
By the rivers of Babylon, where things are difficult and uncertain
There we sat down (you hear the people cry)
We sat down and listened to the cries of the people around us
Ye-eah we wept, (they need their god)
And we shed tears for those who need their God to help them through this time
When we remember zion. (ooh, have the power)
As we thought about Zion, we prayed for the strength to persevere
Contributed by Lila Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@NoorAlHaqiqa
I have not felt such refreshing pure sound for decades. AND... look... no synchobabble! Real people making real music. A treasure these are.
@roserox07
These are the most beautiful voices I've ever heard. Just gorgeous.
@eduardokusdra
That was incredibly beautiful!! Amazing version and vocals!
@3mepleasenow
Excellent. We are truly not worthy of such a rework. Aha aha touching the greatest heavens in glory, hopefully.
@2881ale
When i remember zion...i cry
@osip7315
naia kete and barefoot truth work extraordinarily well together, MAGIC
@guidorosei4618
This is just the best cover I heard of this song. Far better than the well known ones
@shape_mismatch
FAVORITE VERSION OF THE SONG!
@theguyIShere24
Played this song about 32 time this morning so far
@droogie9
achingly beautiful rendition of a spiritual classic-sent to my best friend who works on the side of Mt Zion, asking him to sing there a song to King Alpha-thanks, kids