Translation by Thomas Carew (1595? - 1639?)
Sitting by the streams
Language: English  after the Latin
Sitting by the streams that glide Down by Babel's tow'ring wall, With our tears we fill'd the tide, Whilst our mindful thoughts recall Thee, O Sion, and they fall. Our neglected harps unstrung, Not acquainted with the hand Of the skilful tuner, hung On the willow-trees that stand Planted in the neighbour land. Yet the spiteful foe commands Songs of mirth, and bids us lay To dumb harps our captive hands; And, to scoff our sorrow, say, "Sing us some sweet Hebrew lay!" But say we, "Our holy strain Is too pure for heathen land; Nor may we God's hymns profane, Or move either voice or hand To delight a savage band." Holy Salem, if thy love Fall from my forgetful heart, May the skill by which I move Strings of music tun'd by art, From my wither'd hand depart.
Authorship:
- by Thomas Carew (1595? - 1639?) [an adaptation] [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in Latin by Bible or other Sacred Texts , Psalm 137. [text unavailable]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Henry Lawes (c1595 - 1662), "Sitting by the streams" [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2003-11-04
Line count: 25
Word count: 140