The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #4024   Message #1334956
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
22-Nov-04 - 12:49 AM
Thread Name: Origins: Babylon is Fallen (to Rise no More)
Subject: RE: Origins: Babylon is Fallen (to Rise no More)
Is "The Fall of Babylon" English? Or has an American poem been revised for the emancipation of slaves (1834) in the British dominions?
The song is used in Emancipation celebrations in Jamaica and elsewhere. There are several versions, as shown in the posts here.

Lyr. Add: Emancipation Song (Jamaica)

Hail the day so long expected,
Hail the day of full release
Zion's walls are now erected
And her watchmen are at peace.
From the distant courts of Zion
Distant trumpets loudly roar
Slavery is fallen to rise no more!

August 1, 1834 is when some 750,000 slaves were freed by the Crown.
In Jamaica, the declaration was read in the square of Spanish Town. I have not found the tune.
Emancipation Song

The following mentions England rather than Shiloh or Shinar, and the scarlet whore is absent from the last verse. It is close to two versions in the Bodleian Collection (the third is a 'teetotal' parody), neither of which mention England. Probably best to post in full. "Author unknown."

Lyr. Add: The Fall of Babylon

Hail the day so long expected, hail the day of full release
Zion's walls are now erected, and her watchmen promise peace.
Throughout England's wide Dominion, shrill the trumpets loudly roar:
Babylon is fallen, is fallen, is fallen.
Babylon is fallen, to rise no more.

All her merchants stand with wonder, what is this has come to pass
Murmuring like a distant thunder, crying O alas, alas.
Swell the sound ye kings and nobles, priest and people rich and poor,
Babylon is fallen, is fallen, is fallen.
Babylon is fallen, to rise no more.

Blow the trumpet in Mount Zion, Christ shall come a second time
Ruling with a rod of iron, all who now as foes combine.
Babel's garments we've rejected and our fellowship is sure.
Babylon is fallen, is fallen, is fallen.
Babylon is fallen, to rise no more.

Tune your harps ye heavenly choirs, shout ye followers of the lamb.
See the city all on fire. Clap your hands and swell the flame.
Now's the day of compensation. Hope of mercy now is o'er.
Babylon is fallen, is fallen, is fallen.
Babylon is fallen, to rise no more.

Fall of Babylon