Tonight on Blog Plus Ultra the original "Rivers Of Babylon" by the Melodians

Let us all sing along
RIVERS OF BABYLON
by The Melodians
(B. Dowe - F. McHaughton, adapted from Psalm 137:1)

By the rivers of Babylon
Where we sat down
And there we wept
When we remembered Zion

But the wicked carried us away in captivity
Required from us a song
How can we sing King Alfa song
In a strange land
Cause the wicked carried us away in captivity
Required from us a song
How can we sing King Alfa song
In a strange land

Sing it out loud
Sing a song of freedom sister
Sing a song of freedom brother
We gotta sing and shout it
We gotta talk and shout it
Shout the song of freedom now

So let the words of our mouth
And the meditation of our heart
Be acceptable in Thy sight
Over I
So let the words of our mouth
And the meditation of our heart
Be acceptable in Thy sight
Over I

Sing it again
We've got to sing it together
Everyone of us together

By the rivers of Babylon...

(Original lyrics from the 1972 album sleeve of "The Harder They Come" o.s.t. )
by Don Julian

they recorded their biggest hit, "Rivers of Babylon" for Leslie Kong. This song became an anthem of the Rastafarian movement, and was featured on the soundtrack for the movie The Harder They Come.

Summit/ Trojan label SUM-6508. 1970.

Before the Wailers came on to the scene, the Melodians were one of the biggest names in reggae music. Many of the lyrics of their later music reflected Rastafarian beliefs. This spiritual aspect, coupled with their catchy melodies and strong rhythms, made them enormously popular in their home country of Jamaica.

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