Amahubo 137

1 Emifuleni yeBhabhiloni sahlala phansi khona, yebo sakhala inyembezi, lapho sikhumbula iZiyoni.

By the rivers of Babylon we were seated, weeping at the memory of Zion,

2 Amachacho ethu sawaphanyeka eminyezaneni phakathi kwayo.

Hanging our instruments of music on the trees by the waterside.

3 Ngoba khonapho abasithumbayo basicela amazwi engoma, labasimotshayo bacela injabulo besithi: Sihlabeleleni enye yezingoma zeZiyoni.

For there those who had taken us prisoners made request for a song; and those who had taken away all we had gave us orders to be glad, saying, Give us one of the songs of Zion.

4 Singahlabela njani ingoma yeNkosi elizweni lemzini?

How may we give the Lord's song in a strange land?

5 Uba ngikukhohlwa, Jerusalema, isandla sami sokunene kasikhohlwe ubungcitshi.

If I keep not your memory, O Jerusalem, let not my right hand keep the memory of its art.

6 Ulimi lwami kalunamathele elwangeni lwami, uba ngingakukhumbuli, uba ngingaphakamisi iJerusalema phezu kwentokozo yami enkulu.

If I let you go out of my thoughts, and if I do not put Jerusalem before my greatest joy, let my tongue be fixed to the roof of my mouth.

7 Khumbula, Nkosi, ngabantwana bakoEdoma, ngosuku lweJerusalema, abathi: Dilizani, dilizani, kuze kube sesisekelweni sayo.

O Lord, keep in mind against the children of Edom the day of Jerusalem; how they said, Let it be uncovered, uncovered even to its base.

8 Ndodakazi yeBhabhiloni, ozabhujiswa, ubusisiwe ozaphindisela kuwe isenzo osenze kithi.

O daughter of Babylon, whose fate is destruction; happy is the man who does to you what you have done to us.

9 Ubusisiwe ozabamba asakaze abantwana bakho edwaleni.

Happy is the man who takes your little ones, crushing them against the rocks.