Al Naharot Bavel
Jason Freeman
About this work:
The text, the 137th psalm from the Book of Psalms, expresses mourning at the destruction of the Temple and the exile of the Jews, as well an extreme (by modern standards) desire for vengeance. But most importantly, this psalm asks that we remember Jerusalem and the Temple's destruction even when we are content, even in our happiest moments. This last message of the psalm is reflected in its use in contemporary Judaism: a verse of the psalm is recited at weddings before the bridegroom crushes a glass (a ritual which also recalls the destruction of the Temple); and the psalm is often recited as part of prayers after meals, to recall the destruction of the Temple even at a time when our bodies are full and content.
In this setting, I have tried to reconcile liturgical musical styles with contemporary art music. Many of the melodies are based loosely on ancient Sephardic melodies for this psalm, and portions of the piano accompaniment allude to harmonies and textures common in American hymn settings. These allusions, though, are placed in the context of a more abstract and dissonant musical style.
Special thanks to Rabbi Charles Sheer (Columbia University) and Cantor Daniel Marmorstein (Temple Bet Breira) for their assistance and support in writing this piece.
Here is the text, in English translation:
By the rivers of Babylon,
there we sat down,
yea, we wept,
when we remembered Zion.
Upon the willows in the midst thereof
we hanged up our harps.
For there they that led us captive required of us songs
and they that wasted us required of us mirth:
"Sing us one of the songs of Zion."
How shall we sing the LORD’s song
in a strange land?
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem,
let my right hand forget her cunning;
let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth
if I remember thee not;
if I prefer not Jerusalem
above my chief joy.
Remember, O LORD, against the children of Edom
the day of Jerusalem;
Who said, "Rase it, rase it,
even to the foundation thereof.”
O daughter of Babylon, that art to be destroyed,
Happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee
as thou hast served us;
Happy shall he be, that taketh
and dasheth thy little ones against the rock.
This translation is reprinted from Richard G. Moulton’s The Modern Reader’s Buble: The Psalms and Lamentations, volume II. New York: MacMillan and Company, 1900: 152-153. It is in the public domain.
Year composed: 1999
Duration: 00:05:30
Ensemble type: Voice, Solo or With Chamber or Jazz Ensemble:Solo Voice with Keyboard
Instrumentation: 1 Piano, 1 Baritone