Blake's Jerusalem by Billy Bragg

[karezza6]

Men of England, heirs of glory

Rise like Lions after slumber In unvanquishable number,

Shake your chains to earth like dew

Which in sleep had fallen on you-

Ye are many — they are few"

Shelley

[karezza6]

God bless William Blake.

[hem1934]

This is a beautiful song. But it has nothing to do with English nationalism, and Blake didn't write this poem as a praise to England. You can't make English nationalism ok. English nationalism is inherently reactionary.

[karezza6]

@hem1934

Fuck off.

[GuyFawkes15]

We are England and Billy is the best bloke to represent us.

[IrishandFolkmusic]

I was born here and lived here my entire life, I hate 'God Save The Queen' as an anthem it does not really represent what is a good country, Jerusalem is a song you could sing with such pride.

[hernhillrebel]

How hilarious that Bragg has to embrace little Englanderism, (so many of whose advocates barely disguise their anti Scottish/Irish/ Welsh prejudice) in a desperate ploy to undermine the UNITED Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I saw his dumb book in the library- he was posing on the front with the crusaders cross, no doubt before going off to do a benefit concert for Palestinian refugees. He has never been elected to office and now lives a midde class life in rural Dorset.

[Pingulevski]

Impressively moving rendition. The guy is truly amazing live. If I was wearing a het, it would be doffed.

[aranterranting]

fucking socialist pig

[noragchick]

A heart felt cover version retrospectively destroyed by Bragg's backing of a Coalition Govt that is to the right of the Thatcher catastrophe of the eighties. Drop dead Bragg.

[BLUEHIPPO47]

Progressive patriotism at it's best...A riposte to the far right who have tried to hi-jack our flag,whilst wishing we had lost the second world war.We the people are the nation..not the corporations,The Sun or the monarchy.

[PenzancePete]

It's like listening to amateur hour at the village hall. Atrocious!

[LONGLOTTfilms]

Luscious! Beautiful, and full of a humble majesty only Billy Bragg can manifest.

Thanks for posting this!

JAL

[contacter]

working people need to share more in the abundance, not just those who profit from imperialistic corporate capitalism.

[mamideoss]

lol is this 4 real!!!!

[conistonavenue79]

vote for more snouts in the troughj I dont think so

[Skipissatan]

lol Independence for Cornwall? you might as well give us in yorkshire it aswell! Cornwall is England!

[Londonfogey]

What about independence for Pimlico?

[frankmilespml]

@Londonfogey Ah watch da film.

[frankmilespml]

@Londonfogey Ah watch the film.

[tomcatvmp]

i'm not sure billy would be proud of this potrait of his version

[willemslie]

If you read and take on board what Bill writes in The Progressive Patriot, you might be rather more sure, Tom. Well made, Rebellionsucks.

[flippyism]

@tomcatvmp

why not?

[CrimsonPhantom88]

The nations of Britain don't need "independance", they all need to work together. While Europe is coming closer and closer together, nationalists in Britain want to tear our own country apart.

[tomcatvmp]

good song . but if we sell ourselves down that road we are weaker all round

[rebellionsucks]

what road?

[mytimetravellingdog]

love Blake, he is one of the greatest poets (and artists) in history. he was revolutionary in all aspects of his life and beliefs.

(although ths isnt jerusalem, its actually a poem in the preface to MIlton. Blake's Jerusalem an illuminated book)

the book Blake and the impossible history of the 1790s is well worth reading if anyone has an interest in him. it looks at how much more radical blake was than even any of his contemporaries

and i love bill bragg as well.

[vivascargill]

E.P Thompson's book is pretty good on Blake

[ed40carter]

reclaiming pride in what being English is.

[nowandzen7]

Bragg is a socialist.....but he's also a great musician ....as this song clearly shows.....England should replace god save the queen with this song......it's much better!

[SomeDriftwood]

Fantastic hymn. English socialist 'Zionism'.

[Trotsky1069]

so you think there is pride in not living in a democracy? Britain has a long way to go on the road to full democracy, and comments like yours will keep us forever in the past.

[EdPBrowne]

That this Christian song is being sung by Bragg, serves to remind me that the begginings of the English labour, democratic and socialist movements came from deeply religious Christians, such as the leaders of the Peasant's revolt (especially Ball) and the levelers and diggers. After all, there's a lot of socialism in the Bible, which is a good reason the Medieval Church didn't want people reading it.

[rebellionsucks]

Yes, reading the Bible in English was an offence in the middle ages as the great mass of people were likely to take inspiration from the words of Jesus - the parallels with the corruption of clerical authorities were strong...

[Avenmarc]

+ the lollards

[482c]

Lillburne, Walwyn, Spence, Blake--all part of the great tradition of English democracy!

[rebellionsucks]

Let's not forget Tom Paine!

[482c]

Absolutely! And Granville Sharp--I like to mention those whom historians seem to forget--

[hennoxxx]

wat tyler

[newellfisher]

A dignified explanation of enlightened English nationalism.

Well done!

[rebellionsucks]

Thanks