babylon
McLean Don Lyrics
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We lay down and wept, and wept, for thee Zion
We remember thee, remember thee, remember thee Zion
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
By the waters, the waters of Babylon
We lay down and wept, and wept, for thee Zion
McLean Don's song "Babylon" is a meaningful ballad that speaks to the heart of those who have been exiled from a place they call home or have left behind the people they love. The song's lyrics are a metaphorical representation of the Babylonian exile, as told in the Book of Psalms. The lines "By the waters, the waters of Babylon / We lay down and wept, and wept, for thee Zion" artistically depict the deep sense of sorrow, regret, and nostalgia for Jerusalem, the holy city that was brutally devastated by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II in 586 BCE. The phrase "By the waters of Babylon" also belonged to a popular Psalm, which was sung by the exiled Jews in Babylon, who longed to return to their homeland.
The song's repetition of the lines "We remember thee, remember thee, remember thee Zion" is evocative of the longing, pain, and attachment to the place they once called home. The word "Zion" is also significant in the song's context because it represents the idealized, spiritual connection that Jews have with Jerusalem. In many ways, the concept of Zion represents the hope and dream of returning to Jerusalem one day. The lyrics, in totality, are a powerful vision of the agony that individuals and communities feel after losing their home or identity.
Line by Line Meaning
By the waters, the waters of Babylon
We find ourselves in the land of Babylon, surrounded by its rivers.
We lay down and wept, and wept, for thee Zion
Overwhelmed by homesickness, we cry uncontrollably for our beloved Zion.
We remember thee, remember thee, remember thee Zion
We hold Zion close to our hearts, never letting go of our memories of it.
By the waters, the waters of Babylon
Once again, we find ourselves in Babylon, feeling lost and alone.
We lay down and wept, and wept, for thee Zion
Unable to escape our sadness, we continue to cry for the home we left behind.
We remember thee, remember thee, remember thee Zion
Our longing for Zion lingers, and we cannot forget the life we once had there.
By the waters, the waters of Babylon
Again, we are painfully aware of our current surroundings in Babylon.
We lay down and wept, and wept, for thee Zion
Our emotions overcome us once more, and we grieve for the life we lost.
We remember thee, remember thee, remember thee Zion
Our memories of Zion persist, as we hold onto the hope of one day returning to our homeland.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Traditional, Don McLean, Lee Hays
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind