We sate down and wept by the waters

We sat down and wept by the waters

Of Babel, and thought of the day

When our foe in the hue of his slaughters

Made Salem's high places his prey;

And ye, oh her desolate daughters!

Were scatter'd all weeping away.

While sadly we gazed on the river

Which roll'd on in freedom below,

They demanded the song: but oh

Never that triumph the stranger shall know!

May this right hand be wither'd for ever

Ere it string our high harp for the foe!

On the willow that harp is suspended,

Oh Salem! its sound should be free;

And the hour when thy glories were ended

But left me that token of thee:

And ne'er shall its soft tones be blended

With the voice of the spoiler by me!