Such good-manners and good-citizenship make for an ‘Excellent Companion’, just part of the legacy which Zerubbabel unknowingly has left for all Royal Arch Masons of today, dating from those ancient times when he sat down by ‘ The Rivers of Babylon’.
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A frequent visitor may also notice a difference in a majority of the population on that continent where it is deemed as basic good manners and good citizenship to view yourself as just one member of the community, regardless of whether the community is a town, an organisation or a family. There are some differences in the Royal Arch Masonry found between the banks of the Hudson and East rivers, and throughout North America, compared with English Freemasonry. By the rivers of Babylon (dark tears of Babylon) There we sat down (You got to sing a song) Ye-eah we wept, (Sing a song of love) When we remember Zion. By the rivers of Babylon by Boney MBy the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down Ye-eah we wept, when we remembered Zion. The Royal Arch Masons there even have ‘The Zerubbabel Society’ for Companions who pledge to donate $100 a year, or more if they can afford it, with a special jewel which can be worn at all Royal Arch functions. In our modern world the equivalent today is also referred to as the ‘Babylon-on the-Hudson’. This tragicomic parable is about the increasing power of an un-educated, ill-mannered and dishonest stoker. With Andrej Hryc, Vladimír Hajdu, Diana Mórová, Barbora Kodetová. Cyrus gave Zerubbabel approval to leave Babylon, appointed him the Governor, as a Prince, of Judah and decreed the Temple should be rebuilt.ĥ5 miles south of Baghdad, situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, Babylon was once one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the ancient world. Rivers of Babylon: Directed by Vlado Balco. Zerubbabel summoned up the courage to ask Cyrus if he could lead a party back to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the Temple. One can easily visualise a leading Judean captive of royal descent called Zerubbabel (meaning ‘Born in Babylon’) sitting down by these rivers and thinking of the land of his forefathers called Zion, so named after the hill on which David had founded the city of Jerusalem. After sacking Jerusalem, he took thousands into captivity as forced labour where they remained until Babylon was captured by Cyrus II of Persia. Nebuchadnezzar II expanded the Babylonian empire and ruled Egypt, Syria and Judah.
![river of babylon river of babylon](https://gospelminds.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/John-Olumayowa-River-of-Babylon.jpg)
The song is also meaningful to Essex Freemasons who are Companions in the Holy Royal Arch, as it relates the beginning of a story which is central to the teachings of core Freemasonry. The lyrics are from Psalm 137, written over 2,500 years ago, about another group of people also in ‘captivity’. Visit our Student Site today.Many people in lockdown or shielding enjoy listening to the former hit song ‘Rivers of Babylon’ because of its catchy tune and appropriate wording for these times.
![river of babylon river of babylon](https://cdn3.virtualsheetmusic.com/images/first_pages/HL/HL-121713First_BIG.png)
To all our teachers: There are many language schools and other educational institutions closing now because of the Coronavirus situation.