Jerusalem - Blake

Hi Q: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r81ZPHfKXU&fmt=18

This is the only hymn that I like. (I admit that I dont know many.)

If you have seen "Calendar Girls", you will recognize Jerusalem from the Women's Institute meetings that Helen Mirren and Julie Walters loved to disrupt.

The hymn is based on a poem by William Blake.

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green
And was the holy lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen

And did the countenance divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among those dark Satanic mills

Bring me my bow of burning gold
Bring me my arrows of desire
Bring me my spears o'clouds unfold
Bring me my chariot of fire

I will not cease from mental fight
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
'Til we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land
'Til we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• England
• William
• Blake
• Jerusalem

[DiabloPlayer4life]

Ah nice. I really like this. Heh, a bit of British national pride.

Although I still think that the most critically acclaimed poem, The Tyger is his best.

[saphistische]

Thanks. I consider Scotland more beautiful, but I do love the English countryside, and I love the music.

Whose national pride? Are you a British expatriate? Or do you merely mean that this unofficial national anthem is tied to love of England?

[TheDavehackney]

Bring back the voice of burning gold

Stifle the Silver Tongues with fire

We'll join our hands across the world

To reclaim what we most desire

We shall not cease from mental strife

For Unity is our demand

And bound together we will rise

To make this Earth a promised land

[jrocaan]

Me encanta estamusica , me emociona.

[saphistische]

Let's put it this way -- I'm correct about area rankings iff [sic] Wiki is correct ;}

My point about Diablo's nationality was merely that 'sassenachs' often know more of us than we of them.

I agree that "Jerusalem" is used to refer to a brighter future, but Blake seems to speak of a more pastoral future - green is better than dark Satanic mills. I simply like the music.

[scyldschefing]

Whoops, you're correct about the area rankings. I'm not sure what your point was about Diablo's nationality.

As for the poem, yes, you're correct that it is based on a myth of Jesus actually visiting Britain. However, the poem's message, stated in a rather prosaic and banal way, is to work towards a brighter future for England.

[saphistische]

Actually, Canada is second in total area, *fourth* in land area, and first in freshwater area.

The poem was written 270 years after Henry VIII's Act of Supremacy. However, according to Wiki the poem is connected to some myth about Jesus and Joseph of Arimethea visiting Glastonbury. It certainly reads like a hope for a pastoral utopia.

Diablo is Danish -- I think that his knowledge of North America ranks above ours of Denmark.

[scyldschefing]

Technically, Canada has the third greatest land area in the world, as Alaska pushes the US's above that of Canada's.

Also, I disagree about the song's meaning. It isn't merely the establishment of the Church of England. Firstly, in other writings Blake rejected the Church of England. The poem's narrator is speaking about something he's working towards, not something that has been accomplished. Its egalitarian message is directed towards the establishment of justice and peace in the future.

[DiabloPlayer4life]

Heh, being the second largest country in the world, I am sure Canada offers more beauty, but it is probably harder to get to see.

Well, the song/poem is about the establishment of the Church of England more or less. And he approves of it.

[saphistische]

Longer would be good.