An Wasserflüssen Babylon (Joachim Decker)

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CPDL #23592:  

Editor: Ross Jallo (submitted 2011-05-22).   Score information: Letter, 1 page, 15 kB   Copyright: Public Domain

Edition notes: Original pitch; 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

Language: German
Instruments: a cappella
Published: 1604

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.