Rivers Of Babylon

artist:Boney M.

, writer:Brent Dowe, Trevor McNaughton, Frank Farian, Reyam

Song Info

Title: Rivers Of Babylon

Artist: Boney M.

Writer: Brent Dowe, Trevor McNaughton, Frank Farian, Reyam

Song Types: Pop, R&B/Soul, Reggae

Key: C

Info: "Rivers of Babylon" is a Rastafari song written and recorded by Brent Dowe and Trevor McNaughton of the Jamaican reggae group The Melodians in 1970. The lyrics are adapted from the texts of Psalms 19, and 137 in the Hebrew Bible. The Melodians' original version of the song appeared on the soundtrack album for the 1972 movie The Harder They Come, which made it internationally known.

The song was re-popularized in Europe by the 1978 Boney M. cover version, which was awarded a platinum disc and is one of the top-ten, all-time best-selling singles in the UK. The B-side of the single, "Brown Girl in the Ring", also became a hit.

In the Rastafarian faith, the term "Babylon" is used for any governmental system which is either oppressive or unjust. Rastafarians also use "Babylon" to refer to the police, often seen as a source of oppression because they arrest members for the use of marijuana (which is sacramental for Rastafarians). Therefore, "By the rivers of Babylon" refers to living in a repressive society and the longing for freedom, just like the Israelites in captivity.

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Rivers Of Babylon

artist:Boney M.

, writer:Brent Dowe, Trevor McNaughton, Frank Farian, Reyam

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