Banzembo 137

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

By rivers of Babylon — There we did sit, Yea, we wept when we remembered Zion.

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

On willows in its midst we hung our harps.

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 our captors asked us the words of a song, And our spoilers — joy: 'Sing ye to us of a song of Zion.'

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

How do we sing the song of Jehovah, On the land of a stranger?

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

If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, my right hand forgetteth!

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!

My tongue doth cleave to my palate, If I do not remember thee, If I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief 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, Jehovah, for the sons of Edom, The day of Jerusalem, Those saying, 'Rase, rase to its foundation!'

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

O daughter of Babylon, O destroyed one, O the happiness of him who repayeth to thee thy deed, That thou hast done to us.

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

O the happiness of him who doth seize, And hath dashed thy sucklings on the rock!