Yusuf İslam - I Was Raised in Babylon

Babylon is in Iraq Saddam Hussein and his 28 bodyguards that look like him were trying to re build it but they got rid of him Soddom and Gommorah used to be in Syria now its in San Fransisco and LA

Is why I did sound and set up mics and stage manage and all: so I could sit in on such as this.*_gods preserve ..._*

Not exactly “Peace Train” quality—preachier but with much better guitar!

Beautiful islamic message.

Is that Richard Thompson playing with Cat? Whoa, it is! Fantastic!

I love this song, very enlightening. It is not your responsibility to teach and guide us, but you do it so graciously, Thank you.

I lOVE IT! :)

I was raised listening to Cat Stevens down here in Brazil. Great artist and human being still. Cheers!

I was raised in BabylonOur priests taught us how to worship the sunWo! Where did we go wrong?They used to call us civilised – but those days are goneI came to guard the PharaohBring him wine and womenOh Lord! Where is he now?We used call him the highest – till the wave took him downI was born in the Holy LandThey told me it was by God’s commandWo! Where are the others from?I thought that we were the chosen – I must’ve been wrongI loved to march with the SultanAnd his diamond turbanOh Lord! Then the world took holdLet go of the rope of God – for a handful of goldI used to serve the EmpireOn which the sun set, neverOh! Now times have turnedWe thought our white skins would save us – then we got burned

SUCH DEEP SONGS! ARE VERY RARE,, I ENJOYED IT TO EVERY BIT! AND FELT IT TO MY CORE!

Awesome!!

this is pure beauty

Absolutelly amazing that quiet sound that breaks you inside with Those lyrics

This album is so hard to find,can’t get it on Spotify and there’s one record for sale on amazon..listened to the whole thing on YouTube and it’s fuckin amazeballs..if anyone has any suggestions let us know thanks

It's up on Spotify now

Always sounds beautiful.

💖💖💖

These two together, my God! Inspired to go hear Richard in Portland shortly. I love this.

That is totally awesome,2 of my favorites playing together,great tune !

Still sounding sweet Yusuf. Awesome playing.

Awesome

winds of WISDOM here !

a beautiful message and a very nice song...😎🎶

Awesome Yusuf!

What a treat, not part of but the complete performance of Yusuf and Richard Thompson performing I Was Raised in Babylon. They are wonderful together, such a great song and from such a wonderful album. I would love to see them perform together again in the future it is so rare to see them together. They performed together at the Cropredy Festival in 2009 on the song Peace Train it was wonderful.

Amazing. Who is the gentleman playing alongside Yusuf?

Richard Thomson,check out some of his stuff.

It's always The Priests and Acolytes. No matter the "religion" my friend.

Yusuf islamyou know that music is forbidden in islamplease brother do not get drown in its big seamay allah guide and protect us all

Give it a rest, why don't you read Yusuf's book Why I Still Carry A Guitar instead, that will put you right on the matter of music in Islam.

@Eyup Nail I think he made up his own mind and decided to focus on raising his family and building schools for the children, Which is very hard to do when you are a "Pop Star". I am glad he decided to walk his own path and I am so happy that path lead him back to us once again.

@Sandra Kral At first, I am sorry for the very long answer. Yes, he was in a very fragile mood that time and He couldn't bare anymore the position he was in which was so worldly, so fake and so about showing off. But there is this point which always makes me so sad; If he had met the right Muslim people at first, he would have known that changing the entire clothing to an Arabic attire and growing up a long, Arabic type beard is not an obligation of being a Muslim. He could have just continued with his jeans and normal clothes and learn the Islam while his break to music...He even thought that guitar and modern instruments are not allowed in Islam. He could have continued with his guitar as well when he decided to make songs about religion. It just made many people prejudicedly put distance between him, and even hate him... They started not caring of this legend. They even didn't understand the great charity and humanitarian works he has been running. People was always eager to find his flaws and complain him. How sad... How sad... It could be so different, but it is destiny. As he says in his song "My People": "God show the way, God show the way". No doubt that He was always in this intention and trying to do the best things. And if at first God made him know that way, it is his destiny. God made him find and reach the perfection step by step. And finally he is there. He is embracing all good hearted people no matter if they are Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or Jewish... People are happy to have him back. By the way, I am a 22 years old college student and I started searching and learning about him after I heard his songs by my father's recommend years ago. Now, I feel so strong love and connection to him. I wish more people had understood and appreciated him.

@Eyup Nail I understand your feelings, but I have heard Yusuf speak about this time in his life. I have been his fan for over 48 years and waited for his return. He felt he needed to do this all in a very traditional way , playing it safe at the beginning he devoted all of his time to his studies.. He felt this time was his and his alone learning what he needed to know..I respect him for that, even though my heart broke and I missed him for all those years he was not around. Yusuf never does anything halfway. He is back now and that is all I focus on.. Peace be with you Eyup

@Sandra Kral thank you for explaining it to me an enlightening me, Sandra Kral. It is a pleasure to listen to this topic's details from a person who is talking with over 48 years of experience and full of feelings. Peace be with you, Ma'am Sandra Kral.

Love this song. Thank you. I just realized listening to this and seeing Richard Thompson play along side you that I've got 7 albums, four and three of each of you!! And memories of seeing Richard with Fairport Convention at Knebworth in the 70s'. Sadly never got the chance to see you. Any chance of small gigs in Scotland?

They used to call us civilized , but those days are gone....I don't know if we learned much since Babylon. "Let go the rope of God for a hand full of gold. Beautiful acoustic sound and soulful lyrics. I love that your songs always tell us a story.

I just love to listen to you. You bring peace to me when I feel my life is in chaos., which has been the norm for the past 6 years. I lost my job, had a hard time finding one, became homeless except for the kindness of friends. Fell in 2016 and 2017, breaking bones and having to rely on my sister. But her friends and my nephew told her she shouldn’t help me. And all she thinks is that everything can be fixed with money. Through my faith in God and your music as comfort, I keep pushing through. Maybe 2019 will be the end of this difficult cycle (7 years of desperation and struggle) but no matter what I hold tightly to my belief God has some reason and purpose for keeping me here on earth.

God Bless you Joyce, I am so sorry you have had so many struggles .