I loved this song (as a youngster) when ELP recorded it but now I absolutely hate this piece of chauvinistic crap. Blake must have been on drugs when he wrote it
Have you ever studied Blake - I mean really studied him? have you ever read any real in depth academic texts about him? I studied Blake at uni and there is far more to Blake and this song. It is actually part of his poem 'Milton' and was not written as a stand alone piece. To be understood it needs to read in context.
"I must create a system or be enslaved by another man's; I will not reason and compare: my business is to create." William Blake
Why do I need to read the whole of Blake to opine on this "poem" it is like saying that Enoch Powel's rivers of blood speech is taken out of context because you have to consider his whole career.
However I accept that Blake's chauvinistic writing has been hijacked by the BNP types of latter years and "re-interpreted". I guess this is what I really hate about it
while the poem goes back to 1830,,the music is by edmund parry,,written 1916,,if you tube sources are correct,,python is great stuff,,like minds think alike,,,I keep having dreams about keith emerson
Just saw a Monty Python from 1969 that had the others singing this to get Graham Chapman to take a bag off his head, which he put on when he heard the word, "mattress"
The lyrics are part of a poem called Milton, by W. Blake. Blake wasn't a Catholic, quite for from it actually (poems like The Song of Los and The Marriage of Heaven and Hell are quite a testament to this, as well as the mythos of Urizen). Blake's take on Milton's Paradise Lost is similar to Byrons, Satan isn't the corrupting force but a revolutionary against God's "[...] infernal scroll/ Of Moral Laws and cruel punishments [...]" (l. 22-23 Milton, William Blake).
I would LOVE to see a boy band or rapper match this LMFAO! Just stand well back when they try, it could become messy as they self destruct during the attempt
Continue reading through Jerusalem and see what Blake had to say about the Scots. Not a whole lot of love lost there. So, as a recommendation, don't walk around Scotland singing Jerusalem.
Sorry to be depressing. My father died last week. He wanted this song sung loud at his funeral. I hope we will all do it proud. P.s As a true Brit it will be sung well and true.
I'm pretty sure I heard this song played on an episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus, which would have pre-dated ELP by several years, just in case some of you are under the impression that ELP created the arrangement.
The Flying Circus went on until the end of 1974, so it is perfectly possible that ELP's arrangement was used. However given the song was banned by the BBC, I doubt it would have been allowed to be included. Perhaps I'm wrong, but why would they have banned the song on radio and not tv?
Jerusalem is a Christian Hymm for England. It was a poem put to music for England to stand together. Know your history so it is not repeated, then less kids have to go to war.
yes, the song is about england but in a wider sense: it is certainly also about all places where truth, justice and freedom are respected - and there are not many left, my friends ... you certainly won´t build jerusalem with OLMERT ...I guess the distasteful jingoism which a few " patriots " display here would have been utterly disapproved of by william blake himself ..(I have MET such " patriots " before: they neither do know their country nor their own language well...)
englishmen shmenglishmen. you people don't know anything. Jerusalem will still be in the same place it is now when GOD turns the earth into heaven idiots!!!! dama9ed is right, the singing is awful
could the lyrics possibly be speaking of one of the disciples of christ? You know,a represenative,like Saint Paul or an understudy perhaps that visted the (before it was the UK)UK?
The lyrics could be referring to an old British legend that Jesus had an uncle who imported tin and that Jesus may have accompanied him to visit the Cornwall tin mines when he was a boy. So Blake is wondering if Jesus actually stepped foot on British soil.
You wouldn't know good singing if it snuck up and bit you on what I'm sure is your rather plump ass. Judging from you wallpaper in your profile area, you're what.........about 10?
I do not understand why would anybody be offended. The song is not only a beautiful and a monumental piece of art, is also representative of England and by extention of western cultural heritage. Whomever get so easily offended should not be allowed to live in a plurar and free society.
You there at the back... go do something about your ignorance and learn about William Blake before you make a fool of yourself in public again. At least look at Wikipedia or something. Sheesh.
But great arrangement of a nice tune. We analyzed this (well, the original composition by Charles Hubert Hastings Parry) in theory class a couple semesters ago and my teacher played the ELP version. It's great.
I stood up and started singing along, as loud as I could, until afterward, I noticed that all my bedroom windows were open! I hope my neighbors liked it...I sure did!
This soaring anthem is, in my humble American opinion, ELP's best. Yes, in one of my undergraduate English classes, we learned that William Blake wrote this poem. I even had to do a class presentation on it. So not all of us in America are the barbarians many English seem to think. P.S.: I can't stand Bush either, can barely tolerate seeing or hearing him on T.V.
yh i agree that this should definatly our national athemn rather than 'god save our queen' i couldnt care less for the queen i dont care if shes nice i just dont think anyone who is as lazy as her get paid that much because she has 'royal' blood which is in fact german! and about 15/20 yrs ago 1 in 3 people didnt want a monarch
Why can we not be proud to be ENGLISH ? Do we have to sorry to the rest of the world for ever because of the past history of this country,in that case YORKSHIRE FOREVER,CAST OFF THE ENGLISH CHAINS THAT OPPRESS OUR PEOPLES,I don't think so,I have no guilt for the past,it is history so live with it......
yes! these feet walked upon englands mountains green - but not only there
buchananstreet 3 years ago
Genius and pertinant,
the world today,
PS. i Sang this solo at school before
hundreds.
libra61060 3 years ago
ELP is musical purfection. It doesent get any better than this.
xtcsos 3 years ago
The best band ever! They are all amazing.
trustbaby7 3 years ago
... yes. A beautiful tune and a thoughtful lyric. Heroic and sad at the same time.
GiveIrelandBack 3 years ago
prog at its best
historicbloke 3 years ago 2
questo e' un vero capolavoro! IMMENSI ELP
aiace14 3 years ago
I loved this song (as a youngster) when ELP recorded it but now I absolutely hate this piece of chauvinistic crap. Blake must have been on drugs when he wrote it
fredmila 3 years ago
Have you ever studied Blake - I mean really studied him? have you ever read any real in depth academic texts about him? I studied Blake at uni and there is far more to Blake and this song. It is actually part of his poem 'Milton' and was not written as a stand alone piece. To be understood it needs to read in context.
"I must create a system or be enslaved by another man's; I will not reason and compare: my business is to create." William Blake
snookybeans 3 years ago
Why do I need to read the whole of Blake to opine on this "poem" it is like saying that Enoch Powel's rivers of blood speech is taken out of context because you have to consider his whole career.
However I accept that Blake's chauvinistic writing has been hijacked by the BNP types of latter years and "re-interpreted". I guess this is what I really hate about it
fredmila 3 years ago
Keep clicking more on the "poor comment" thumbs down. It confirms for me more what I think this song represents to people
fredmila 3 years ago
while the poem goes back to 1830,,the music is by edmund parry,,written 1916,,if you tube sources are correct,,python is great stuff,,like minds think alike,,,I keep having dreams about keith emerson
fillyferz 3 years ago
Just saw a Monty Python from 1969 that had the others singing this to get Graham Chapman to take a bag off his head, which he put on when he heard the word, "mattress"
Classic.
npspec34 3 years ago
say ELP perform this live in Baltimore MD.
Nothing like being there in the center section with their new quad system
cableguy21629 3 years ago
Brings tears to my eyes everytime. EMP were fantastic. I remember hearing 'Tarkus' for the 1st time. Blew me away. I was 6 yrs old lol.
Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends, we're so glad you could attend, step inside, step inside.
Tyvm xxxx
ymo1965 3 years ago
I have this CD, and have listened many times, but never could make out the words. Thank you so much for the history and words.
Lakes voice is a treasure, with few equals.
toadabc 3 years ago
I have actually heard the original version of this performed as a Church Hymn in a British Movie.
PeterThenn 3 years ago
i wonder why this was banned as it was in monty python all the time at around the same time (1973)
sendtothefunnyfarm 3 years ago
we used this song at my wedding-my wife and I beautiful tune!
Viznel137 3 years ago
For God, and Queen, This Island, this Fortress, this England!
typestter 3 years ago
englands not an island
sendtothefunnyfarm 3 years ago
well it is correct lol. Great britain is an island not england :)
GregLake88 3 years ago 7
wonderful stuff. makes the hair stand on the back o ma neck. should be the english national anthem-and i'm a Scot.
glasgeo 3 years ago 5
elp rules
54spiritedwill54 3 years ago 2
One of their best tracks!!blake:s lyrics match perfectly with the organ sound. can:t get it out of my head.nice...
phoebus0000 3 years ago 2
The lyrics are part of a poem called Milton, by W. Blake. Blake wasn't a Catholic, quite for from it actually (poems like The Song of Los and The Marriage of Heaven and Hell are quite a testament to this, as well as the mythos of Urizen). Blake's take on Milton's Paradise Lost is similar to Byrons, Satan isn't the corrupting force but a revolutionary against God's "[...] infernal scroll/ Of Moral Laws and cruel punishments [...]" (l. 22-23 Milton, William Blake).
pedrotlima 3 years ago
P.S.: Excuse my poor english, not my first language :(
pedrotlima 3 years ago
Thank you for giving your wisdom & knowledge 2 US! ;-)
CarolynK126 3 years ago
I didn't know it was banned by the BBC, I'll have to learn more on that.
goinggrayearly 3 years ago
I would LOVE to see a boy band or rapper match this LMFAO! Just stand well back when they try, it could become messy as they self destruct during the attempt
Plutonwolf 3 years ago 2
William Blake was a catholic.. thats why it was banned..
BJJRio 3 years ago
Susan sarandon mentions William Blake in Bull Durham.I don't know who he is but this is interesting.Thanks
fozzdick 3 years ago
Continue reading through Jerusalem and see what Blake had to say about the Scots. Not a whole lot of love lost there. So, as a recommendation, don't walk around Scotland singing Jerusalem.
wfdix1 3 years ago
Sorry to be depressing. My father died last week. He wanted this song sung loud at his funeral. I hope we will all do it proud. P.s As a true Brit it will be sung well and true.
andrewhead73 3 years ago 7
WOW MY FRIEND YOU ARE BEST
echoes707 3 years ago
I'm pretty sure I heard this song played on an episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus, which would have pre-dated ELP by several years, just in case some of you are under the impression that ELP created the arrangement.
merloon 3 years ago
The lyrics were a poem, written in 1804 by William Blake. It was set to music by Hubert Parry in 1916.
The context for the line, "dark, Satanic Mills", is the industrial revolution.
ImaEtart 3 years ago
The Flying Circus went on until the end of 1974, so it is perfectly possible that ELP's arrangement was used. However given the song was banned by the BBC, I doubt it would have been allowed to be included. Perhaps I'm wrong, but why would they have banned the song on radio and not tv?
PaulRoberts 3 years ago
Take a look at the sketch "Buying a bed". It's there.
otaviotheman 3 years ago
lol, thank you for that, I laughed till I cried
wstinkbate 3 years ago
it was in several between 1969 and 1974
sendtothefunnyfarm 3 years ago
I believe, this has more to do with the myth of Joseph of Arametha, bringing the "most Holy Grail" to the England!
typestter 3 years ago
How majestic! Long live ELP!!!! Incredible!
MrDeppness 3 years ago 2
ELP fue siempre mi favorito es precursor del rock clasico es insustituible !!
19148241 3 years ago
Todo un poema cantado.
armenio7x 3 years ago
Thank U
hug2046 3 years ago
Jerusalem is a Christian Hymm for England. It was a poem put to music for England to stand together. Know your history so it is not repeated, then less kids have to go to war.
joneslc42 3 years ago 2
I think it is speaking of building Jerusalem in a spiritual sense in the place where one
lives.
onlinefreedomclub 3 years ago
yes, the song is about england but in a wider sense: it is certainly also about all places where truth, justice and freedom are respected - and there are not many left, my friends ... you certainly won´t build jerusalem with OLMERT ...I guess the distasteful jingoism which a few " patriots " display here would have been utterly disapproved of by william blake himself ..(I have MET such " patriots " before: they neither do know their country nor their own language well...)
gantock 3 years ago 3
elp rules
traumareza 3 years ago
englishmen shmenglishmen. you people don't know anything. Jerusalem will still be in the same place it is now when GOD turns the earth into heaven idiots!!!! dama9ed is right, the singing is awful
link0zeldarulz89 3 years ago
could the lyrics possibly be speaking of one of the disciples of christ? You know,a represenative,like Saint Paul or an understudy perhaps that visted the (before it was the UK)UK?
995715202 3 years ago
The lyrics could be referring to an old British legend that Jesus had an uncle who imported tin and that Jesus may have accompanied him to visit the Cornwall tin mines when he was a boy. So Blake is wondering if Jesus actually stepped foot on British soil.
teachmike2000 3 years ago
You wouldn't know good singing if it snuck up and bit you on what I'm sure is your rather plump ass. Judging from you wallpaper in your profile area, you're what.........about 10?
SkepticAll 3 years ago
im not sure an american is in a position to say who does and doesnt know anything.
breadhimself 3 years ago
One super band, with a lot of hits.I like very much this song,it´s amazing.
KarkTugaEdu 3 years ago
I do not understand why would anybody be offended. The song is not only a beautiful and a monumental piece of art, is also representative of England and by extention of western cultural heritage. Whomever get so easily offended should not be allowed to live in a plurar and free society.
migue4lg 3 years ago 4
or keep their comments to themselves
995715202 3 years ago
Somehow, i can feel the glory of this beautiful song!
uwi2 3 years ago
I do too. makes you want to "gird up your armor,shield and sword" and fight without ceasing through mental fight.
Such regality. I was only tweleve when I first heard this brings back nice childhood memories
995715202 3 years ago
Greg Lake...thanks for ever!!
and...
John Wetton, please, one day, sing this song, i will much obliged to you!!!!!!!!!!
SPECTRE1961 3 years ago
Great Album, fantastic song,
thanks for posting it.
nig966 3 years ago
That just shows, how deeply we must go, to root out the evil of theism.
dama9ed 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Sick. The ideas professed here, that Jerusalem will be built in England, just sickening. And the singing is awful.
dama9ed 3 years ago
You there at the back... go do something about your ignorance and learn about William Blake before you make a fool of yourself in public again. At least look at Wikipedia or something. Sheesh.
womanofnoimportance 3 years ago
moving, beautiful
foxraceing6473 3 years ago 2
William Blake would be proud. As an Englishman it makes me proud, and when God sat back after creating England he would have been fuckin proud too.
jack94987002 3 years ago
Haha we Americans aren't barbarians...
But great arrangement of a nice tune. We analyzed this (well, the original composition by Charles Hubert Hastings Parry) in theory class a couple semesters ago and my teacher played the ELP version. It's great.
menschmaschine5 3 years ago
I stood up and started singing along, as loud as I could, until afterward, I noticed that all my bedroom windows were open! I hope my neighbors liked it...I sure did!
RubyMooncats 3 years ago 2
banned from the radio ? they STILL dont play it on the radio, in no country anywhere.shame.
gantock 3 years ago
Master piece. Thanks & greetins from Cancun
mannyram 3 years ago 2
will all u religious fantics shut up! just enjoy the song which is awesome by the way!
skihero45 3 years ago
This soaring anthem is, in my humble American opinion, ELP's best. Yes, in one of my undergraduate English classes, we learned that William Blake wrote this poem. I even had to do a class presentation on it. So not all of us in America are the barbarians many English seem to think. P.S.: I can't stand Bush either, can barely tolerate seeing or hearing him on T.V.
sohappy4jel 3 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This is church of england and is what separates us from the freaky religions in the U.S
We are The real christian soldiers for 1000 years!
eurostar2008 3 years ago
Church of England isn't that old is it? Wasn't it just an easy option for Henry VIII?
zappascotland 3 years ago
Excelente canción, ahora puedo entender mejor la letra de esta canción, una de mis favoritas. Gracias por compartir.
diabloala 3 years ago
This leans towards British Israelism. In other words, the lost tribe of Israel. I think not.
hillbillyvol 3 years ago
Whenever I hear this ,it gives me a tingle down my spine ,and yes I agree it should be our national anthem .
fafafini 3 years ago
God save the Queen...and EL&P
Cascabel40 3 years ago 2
thanks a splendid version, lake's voice awesome
ildemart 3 years ago
WONDERFUL SONG.
Still sounds better on vinyl.
turntablesrock 3 years ago 3
Kind of like a UK version of "America the Beautiful", very majestic.
sselden8 3 years ago
How many knew that the lyrics are from a William Blake poem? Hmmm.. Any even heard of William Blake? Welcome to YouTube :S
NilezII 3 years ago 2
yh i agree that this should definatly our national athemn rather than 'god save our queen' i couldnt care less for the queen i dont care if shes nice i just dont think anyone who is as lazy as her get paid that much because she has 'royal' blood which is in fact german! and about 15/20 yrs ago 1 in 3 people didnt want a monarch
hillpy23 3 years ago 3
Carl Palmer's drummig is amazing on this
ringo1308 4 years ago
Absolutely perfect!
purplekitty101 4 years ago
In the end credits, you forgot that Greg Lake plays bass as well.
diplomatizer 4 years ago 3
grear stuff
kila43va 4 years ago
Jerusalem gets my vote for new English anthem... any national Anthem with the word Satanic in it would be very cool indeed
Zenophobius 4 years ago 4
.......sheeeeeeshhhhhhhhh.........
24Lancelot 4 years ago
...Builded here? >:
DarkfireDraco 4 years ago
Why can we not be proud to be ENGLISH ? Do we have to sorry to the rest of the world for ever because of the past history of this country,in that case YORKSHIRE FOREVER,CAST OFF THE ENGLISH CHAINS THAT OPPRESS OUR PEOPLES,I don't think so,I have no guilt for the past,it is history so live with it......
magnostrike 4 years ago
You need not apologize, this song is in no way offensive.
The New, or Heavenly Jerusalem is the old Mediterranean/European symbol of the hope for a better society.
Unbihexium 4 years ago 4
Proud to lick Yank ass.. Congrats!
okkith64 4 years ago
what ever, we used to own america. Bush is an idiot and blair is now out of office
hillpy23 3 years ago
Shit!
I Wanted to upload this song
Bud good thats it's here
P0LSET 4 years ago
Buy the record "Brain Salad Surgerry" The best by ELP......
jaapbaart 4 years ago 3