O Daughter of Babylon
At the Amargosa River, on the bank we sat down
Yeah, we wept as we talked of forsaking our town
I hung my guitar in the boughs of a tree
And cried awhile more as I remembered thee
The boss wants a song, so he shouts to the gang
He laughs as we strike up a rhythm with chains
But how can we sing the LORD's song in this land?
If I forget thee, Sacramento, strike this harp from my hand
If I don't recall that city as my greatest joy
The songs of my father on my tongue will cloy
The bossman don't care about my shackle sores
He laughs again and orders us to sing a bit more
When I'm free I swear I'll burn this place to the ground
I'll ride through its streets and gun all its folks down
O Daughter of Babylon, I'll soon pay you back
The blood of your children will paint your streets black
Rejoicing I'll drink from those rivers of gore
As I dance to the wails of the great Scarlet Whore