Banzembo 137

1 Ezalaki biso ya kovanda pembeni ya bibale ya Babiloni, tozalaki kolela na tozalaki kokanisa Siona.

For David, [a Psalm] of Jeremias. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat; and wept when we remembered Sion.

2 Todiembikaki mandanda na biso na banzete ya pepiliye ya etuka yango.

We hung our harps on the willows in the midst of it.

3 Kuna, bato oyo bamemaki biso na bowumbu bazalaki kosenga biso banzembo; mpe banyokoli na biso bazalaki kosenga biso ete tozala na esengo. Bazalaki koloba: « Boyembela biso banzembo ya Siona! »

For there they that had taken us captive asked of us the words of a song; and they that had carried us away [asked] a hymn, [saying], Sing us [one] of the songs of Sion.

4 Tokoyemba banzembo ya Yawe ndenge nini na mabele ya bapaya?

How should we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?

5 Oh Yelusalemi, soki nabosani yo, wana tika ete loboko na ngai ya mobali elemba!

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget [its skill].

6 Soki natiki penza kokanisa yo, Yelusalemi, soki natie yo te liboso ya esengo nyonso, wana tika ete lolemo na ngai ekangama kati na monoko na ngai!

May my tongue cleave to my throat, if I do not remember you; if I do not prefer Jerusalem as the chief of my joy.

7 Yawe, kobosana te bato ya Edomi oyo basekaki Yelusalemi na mokolo na yango ya mawa; bazalaki koganga: « Bobuka yango, bobuka kino na miboko na yango! »

Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase [it], rase [it], even to its foundations.

8 Babiloni, engumba kitoko, yo oyo okobebisama solo, esengo na moto oyo akozongisela yo mabe na mabe oyo osalaki biso!

Wretched daughter of Babylon! blessed [shall he be] who shall reward you as you have rewarded us.

9 Esengo na moto oyo akokanga bana na yo mpe akonika bango na libanga!

Blessed [shall he be] who shall seize and dash your infants against the rock.