An Wasserflüssen Babylon (Joachim Decker)
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- Editor: Ross Jallo (submitted 2011-05-22). Score information: Letter, 1 page, 15 kB Copyright: Public Domain
- Edition notes: Original key; cantional-style setting of Wolfgang Dachstein's chorale tune.
General Information
Title: An Wasserflüssen Babylon
Composer: Joachim Decker
Lyricist: Wolfgang Dachstein
Number of voices: 4vv Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Hymn Meter: 87. 87. 887. 887
Language: German
Instruments: A cappella
{{Published}} is obsolete (code commented out), replaced with {{Pub}} for works and {{PubDatePlace}} for publications.
Description: This is the ninth hymn setting from the Melodeyen Gesangbuch published in Hamburg in 1604. It is very likely the version upon which J.A. Reincken based his famous chorale fantasia.
Original text and translations
This hymn is a versification of Psalm 137.
German text
[original spelling]
AN Wasserflüssen Babylon
da sassen wir mit schmertzen
Als wir gedachten an Zion
da weinten wir von hertzen
Wir hiengen auff mit schwerem muth
die Orgel vnd die harffen gut
an jre Beum der weiden
Die drinnen sind in jhrem Land
da musten wir viel schmach vnd schand
teglich von jhnen leiden.
English translation
(Coverdale, 1535)
At the ryvers of Babilon,
There sat we downe ryght hevely;
Even whan we thought upon Sion,
We wepte together sorofully.
For we were in soch hevynes,
That we forgat al our merynes,
And lefte of all oure sporte and playe:
On the willye trees that were thereby
We hanged up oure harpes truly,
And morned sore both nyght and daye.