Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)

Subject: Lyrics For
From:
Date: 05 Feb 98 - 12:09 PM

I am trying to obtain the full lyrics for the song I know as "Jerusalem". I am not certain if that is the correct title. It includes the line "..shall build Jerusalem, on England's green and pleasant land." Please e-mail me if anyone knows.

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Bruce O.
Date: 05 Feb 98 - 12:24 PM

Probably not the right one from your description, but there is an English hymn of which short versions are still in some hymnals, "Jerusalem, my happy home, when will thy joys I see". Early copies and author (1585) are in my internet broadside index, item ZN1548.

Subject: Lyr Add: JERUSALEM (William Blake)
From: Bert
Date: 05 Feb 98 - 01:31 PM

And did those feet, in ancient times,
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 spear, Oh clouds unfold
bring me my chariot of fire
I shall not cease from mental fight
nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
'till we have built Jerusalem
in England's green and pleasant land.

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Jerry Friedman
Date: 05 Feb 98 - 04:52 PM

By William Blake (1757-1827).

Incidentally, the famous setting is by Hubert Parry, an early-20th-century British composer.

Subject: RE: Lyrics For "Jerulasem"
From: RS
Date: 05 Feb 98 - 07:43 PM

I can hear (in my mind) someone singing this in a deep resounding bass voice, on a record from ?about twenty years ago - who??? (Paul Robeson???)

Also - what does the song mean???

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From:
Date: 05 Feb 98 - 09:39 PM

William Blake wrote the poem, but he did not write the music to which the hymn is sung. The hymn is often dismissed as a relic of imperialism, but I think Blake had a more profound religious message in mind when he wrote the poem.

I have read that Blake put many of his poems to music, in a folky rustic style, but lacking the skill to write down the music it has all been lost. Not much notice was taken of him in his time, probably not helped by the fact that he claimed to see angels in the trees. He was also an artist, and illustrated the books of his poetry, and originals of his work are worth a fortune.

A group from Kingston Ontario some time ago, in the 1960's or 1970's, set some of his poems to music, the best one being their version of his "Ah, Sunflower!" The public library in that city used to have a copy of this LP.

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: jeffs
Date: 05 Feb 98 - 09:47 PM

Emerson, Lake, and Palmer performed it on Brain Salad Surgery (I think). That's about the right time frame for RS' question. Didn't it just get thrown out of Anglican hymnals as being too jingoistic?

jeff

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From:
Date: 05 Feb 98 - 10:08 PM

It is still in the hymnals in Canada, although it is rarely sung. People who think it jingoistic miss the point of the poem, IMHO.

Yes, it was on Brain Salad Surgery. I once owned that LP.

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 05 Feb 98 - 10:44 PM

And speaking of settings of William Blake's poetry, Greg Brown did an entire album of his settings of Blake's poetry about 5(?) years ago.

I usually associate the "New Jerusalem" with America and specifically New England, where early Americans saw themselves as rebuilding a society in the image of the City on the Hill. But Blake's vision seems much more sardonic, trying to build a new Jerusalem among satanic mills. Then again, as Blake himself once said, "Joy & Woe are woven fine..."

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Feb 98 - 12:51 AM

RS, Paul Robeson did indeed make a recording of "Jerusalem." It's on an Omega Classics CD called "The Odyssey of Paul Robeson." The album notes, by Paul Robeson Jr., say that "Jerusalem" was the hymn of the English Chartist Movement of the 1830's, not that I can remember what the Chartist Movement was.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Jon W.
Date: 06 Feb 98 - 10:33 AM

I could go into lots of LDS (Mormon) doctrine on the New Jerusalem in America but this is probably not the right place. However I'm curious about this poem. The first verse asks four questions--basically did Jesus visit England in person and establish a "New Jerusalem?". Are there any legends/myths/etc. from England which indicate the answers to these questions are "Yes"? Is this talking about Camelot by any chance?

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Bruce O.
Date: 06 Feb 98 - 11:03 AM

I don't know about all the Arthurian stories, but it was supposedly Joseph of Aramathea, not Jesus, that took the 'holy grail' to England. The 'graal' was an earlier story by Chretien des Troyues, but first became 'holy grail' and connected to Joseph of Ar. in a peom by a Frenchman Robert de Boron about 1190 A.D. Camelot doesn't turn up until later French stories. A recent book come to the tentative conclusion that Camelot might have been Viriconium in Wales, abandoned about 520 A.D., probably right after the civil war that culminated at the battle of Camlann, where Arthur and Modred/ Mordred/ Mawdred were killed. [This assumes that there was an Arthur and Modred.]

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Jerry Friedman
Date: 06 Feb 98 - 05:13 PM

You can find the text of the poem as Blake himself printed it at here. Other than punctuation and capitalization, there are one or two slight wording differences from Bert's version.

RS, Blake's poetry is a little difficult to explain because, as Tim hinted, he did not experience quite the same reality that many of us do. To really understand it, you'd have to study his mystical thought and vision (or delusional system)--something that many people find worthwhile on literary and artistic grounds as well as for his insight, but that I haven't done. This poem is from the Preface to Milton, which according to the notes where I found this poem is about the descent of Milton's soul into Blake's at a crucial time in Blake's life.

But even without that study, I think we can say the poem is basically about the contrast between the Edenic England of Blake's vision and the real industrialized England that he saw as dirty and spiritually impoverished. In the first four lines the images of Jesus seem quite appropriate to the ideal England; in the second four they are highly incongruous. Perhaps the reader is supposed to answer the questions in the first quatrain "yes" and answer those in the second quatrain "no".

The third and fourth quatrains are clearer--he intends to fight industrialization and repression with all the weapons at his command. Both the poem and Blake's life show that the weapons are not physical ones (though he is recorded as having fought with a stick in self-defense); reading the poem as imperialistic or jingoistic would be fatuous. It is radical, though. He describes his goal as the New Jerusalem of the Biblical book of Revelation, that is, as paradise regained. As some of his other poems show, by the way, part of the repression he is fighting is sexual repression--hence the arrows of desire.

And now if Joe Offer is still with me--the Chartist movement was a British movement demanding a "People's Charter" to protect workers' rights. The movement was repressed by law, and the charter was never adopted, of course. The young Marx and Engels were involved in the movement. All I know about it is from Stephen Brust and Emma Bull's historical fantasy Freedom and Necessity. Some of their other novels have folk-music interest, but not that one so much. (I enjoyed it anyway.)

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: BAZ
Date: 06 Feb 98 - 06:11 PM

And did those feet in ancient times Stand upon England's pastures green.

These lines are supposed to refer to Jesus coming to England.

People in this part of Cornwall believe it happened just above the village I live in (Mullion on the Lizard). There was a thriving copper mine here and trade certainly took place with people from that part of the world at about that time.

By the way the song is most famous over here as the theme song of the Women's Institute. (A formidable bunch of women) so careful how you rubbish the legend.

Regards

Baz

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From:
Date: 07 Feb 98 - 03:32 PM

I think it is also sung at the Last Night At The Proms.

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Jerry Friedman
Date: 08 Feb 98 - 02:04 PM

And of course, during the credits the movie Chariots of Fire, which took its title from the poem. It makes Vangelis's music seem pretty lame, IMAO.

Jon, there's a brief reference to legends of Jesus in England, and more on Joseph of Arimathea and King Arthur, in a discussion of a Van Morrison song here.

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: alison
Date: 08 Feb 98 - 08:31 PM

Hi,

There's another one about Joseph of Arimathea. Unfortunately I can't remeber it exactly, but there is a thorn (?hawthorn) tree growing at Glastonbury Cathedral, where Arthur is thought to be buried. This thorn grew from something Joseph brought with him, this is where I forget what exactly, no doubt someone else knows and will help out. I seem to remember it as being a seedling he planted that had come from the tree which was used to make Christ's crown of thorns. (or possibly the cross)

Fascinating place Glastonbury. Lots of strange vibes about the place.

slainte

Alison

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Bill in Alabama
Date: 09 Feb 98 - 08:18 AM

As I recall, it was Joseph's staff which, when stuck into the earth, took root and grew, and became the celebrated Glastonbury Thorn.

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: alison
Date: 09 Feb 98 - 05:02 PM

Hi

that sounds familiar. Thanks Bill.

Slainte

Alison

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From:
Date: 09 Feb 98 - 10:47 PM

A very good version of the song can be found on "The Internationale" by Billy Bragg. On the cd it is entitled "Blakes Jerusalem".

Slainte Rick

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From:
Date: 15 Feb 98 - 06:53 PM

Remember that there is another hymn, which I think is also called Jerusalem. I saw the Holy City, etc. The chorus is something like Jerusalem! Jerusalem! etc. Hosana in the highest, etc. (Why can't I remember the lyrics) It is a very rousing hymn indeed.

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Joe Offer
Date: 16 Feb 98 - 02:49 AM

Hi, Tim- after a lot of research, I found out that song is called "The Holy City." The chorus goes something like this:

Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
Hear how the angels sing
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna to our King!

I haven't found the lyrics or music yet. Somebody said Belafonte made a recording of it, but I haven't found that, either.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From:
Date: 17 Feb 98 - 06:18 PM

That's it. Did the Mormon Tabernacle Choir do a version?

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: alison
Date: 18 Feb 98 - 10:42 PM

Hi,

It starts off,

Last night as I lay dreaming,

There came a dream so fair

I stood in old Jerusalem besdie the temple there.

I remember our church choir used to do it, and I used to accompany my mum when she sang it as a solo.

Slainte

Alison

Subject: Lyr Add: JERUSALEM (parody from The Corries)
From: Alex
Date: 19 Feb 98 - 10:18 PM

The Corries did a parody of that Jerusalem.

Last night I borrowed a full dress suit
To go to a full dress ball.
The trousers were too large for me,
The jacket was too small
I cut two feet off the trouser legs
And then I tried it out
And as I walked across the floor
You could hear the people shout
(And as I walked across the floor
You could hear the people shout).
Yer losin' them, yer losin' them
Hitch up your trousers high
Whose are they? Whose are they?
My God, what a terrible sight
Whose are they? Whose are they?
Yer losin' them tonight!

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Dale Rose
Date: 25 Feb 98 - 04:50 AM

I guess it must be because St. Patrick's Day is approaching, but it seems that everywhere I turn lately, there is a song that has been performed by John McCormack! I have it on Pearl CD 9970, John McCormack in English Song. The notes are quite extensive, and I will type them in here. Even though they rehash many of the points so nicely given by others, they do wrap the legend neatly into one package.

(1916)Preface to the poem "Milton" (William Blake 1757-1827/Sir Hubert Parry 1848-1918, recorded by John McCormack on 6 Nov. 1941.

Moving on 24 years we come to the recording which most endeared McCormack to English people- Jerusalem. He used to sing it regularly for the troops in military camps and canteens during World War II, reminding us that his last 300 or so performances were all given in the United Kingdom. The words of the poem recall the Glastonbury legend, which tells of the infant Jesus being brought to Glastonbury in Somerset by the wealthy merchant Joseph of Arimathea around the year 10 AD. It is Jesus who is referred to in the poem as "Those feet" "The Holy lamb of God" "The Countenance divine" while "Jerusalem builded here" alludes to the implanting of Christianity in England. The legend goes back to at least the sixth century, while Glastonbury Thorn (which still exists) is claimed as having grown from a cutting of Christ's crown of thorns, and the Glastonbury cup (a remarkable piece of Phoenician glass) can still be seen and is claimed as the Holy Grail (the cup used by Jesus at the last supper). Gerald Moore wrote in his autobiography that it was this performance which first endeared him to the music of Sir Hubert Parry. Certainly John McCormack sings England's national song with all his heart and soul.

From the notes to the album by Brian Fawcett-Johnston.

One final note, McCormack sings the lyrics exactly as Bert gave them.

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Les Travis
Date: 29 Sep 98 - 10:15 AM

Here's what I remember of "Jerusalem":

Last night as I lay dreaming
I dreamed a dream so fair
I stood in old Jerusalem
Beside the temple there

The light of God was on its streets
The gates were open wide
And all who would might enter there
And no one was denied

No need for sun to shine by day
Nor moon or stars by night
It was the new Jerusalem that would not pass away
It was the new Jerusalem that would not pass away

Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Lift up your gates and sing
Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna to your king

And once again the scene was changed
New earth there seemed to be
I stood in old Jerusalem
Beside the tideless sea
The light of god was... AND HERE MY MEMORY FAILS ME

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Mo
Date: 30 Sep 98 - 07:42 PM

Funnily enough I believe this is the Jerusalem that is associated with the Women's Institute - not Blake's one. I always thought there was only one Jerusalem(foolish child that I was!)until I saw a television programme a few years ago about the WI where they sang the "hosanna in the highest" one.

Try as I might to dislike this hymn/song as being pro-imperialist English, I find I can't - it's such a great tune and the words are so socialist in their meaning (well, that's my preferred interpretation anyway)that it's hard to dislike them...

Mo

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Pete M
Date: 30 Sep 98 - 09:25 PM

Hi Mo,

I was wondering what was the cause of your feeling that Blakes Jerusalem is "pro imperialist English"?

I've not read much Blake, or analysis of his work, but it seems clear that his intention was, as Jerry noted above, a crie de coeur against the materialistic world as exemplified by the industrial revolution, and a desire to return to, or build a society based on spiritual values. Hardly a view consistent with imperialism, and as you say, if we must label songs, then socialist seems far more appropriate.

However you care to interperet it, it's a great song.

Pete M

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Mo
Date: 01 Oct 98 - 07:27 AM

Pete - I suppose it's the fact that he writes about "England" rather than "Britain" that makes me feel it's pro-imperialist. Why should God walk only on England's "green and pleasant land" - why not Britain's? Even in Blakes time we were supposed to be a united kingdom - and that all member countries were equal within it. I could rant on at length about this, even though I'm not particularly nationalistic, but frankly it would be really boring to read - so I'll spare you it!! However, there's no denying this is a lovely song to sing .. even if I do know some people who on a point of principle will not sing it - but then, they won't sing the National Anthem either because of the old original verse about "quelling the rebellious Scots"

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Christian in Syracuse, NY
Date: 03 Nov 98 - 07:20 PM

I'm surprised no one's mentioned it, but I first encountered this song as a refrain in a Monty Python's Flying Circus skit. Unfortunately, I can't remember any other details of the skit at the moment.

Since that formative moment (probably in my early teens), I've married into an English family. My mother-in-law knows the song by heart I think, and I heard it on Songs of Praise during a recent visit to Britain (my tastes run more to Airport or Eastenders, but my wife's granny you know...)

I'm not usually the hymm sort, but I love the song. I originally got the imperialist interpretation, too, but now I'm leaning more toward the socialist. In fact, I happened upon this list when I did a web search for the lyrics after reading a Marxist-POV article quoting Blake. It doesn't mention that it became a hymm, but it does discuss the poem from a socialist perspective. See David Harvey, "Labor, Capital, and Class Struggle Around the Built Environment in Advanced Capitalist Countries," p. 27 in Kevin Cox, ed., Urbanization and Conflict in Market Societies, Chicago: Maaroufa Press, 1978.

Sorry I'm so wordy ...

Christian

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Jo Taylor
Date: 03 Nov 98 - 07:50 PM

I have been to a Women's Institute meeting! (my mum took me) - It's the Blake one. Very stirring, tres formidable. (I don't know how to do accents & italics, soory.)

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From:
Date: 04 Nov 98 - 03:20 AM

Well, I have nothing to contribute to this very interesting discussion but a question :

Does anybody know where I can find the notes for Parry's composition on the internet, or has anybody got them in an electronic form, so he can sent them to me ?

Thank you

Michael

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Ritchie
Date: 04 Nov 98 - 07:43 AM

I remember as if it was yesterday, standing at morning assembly and 'belting' out 'Jurusalem' with considerable pride at the top of our voices ,wondering why it was n't our National Anthem.

Of course I realise now that 'it could not be quite the done thing' as Blake was obviously 'high' on some substance when he wrote it....as he no doubt was when he designed 'The Sgt Pepper' album sleeve for the Beatles.

love and happiness

Ritchie

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From:
Date: 04 Nov 98 - 08:07 AM

Blake was never high on anything but his own imagination. He saw angels in trees from a young age.

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: pablo
Date: 04 Nov 98 - 09:34 AM

I think it does bears mentioning that Blake, following Milton (in his Paradise Lost) felt it necessary to take the Bible itself as a model for writing his own visionary and epic poetry, although I think some will take issue with the "epic" description for Blake. But there's no question he considered himself writing on a level of importance equal to the Bible--at that time a very radical, even heretical stance. Has anything else of his entered into the popular canon to such an extent as Jersualem?

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Pete M
Date: 04 Nov 98 - 04:45 PM

Pablo, no I don't think anything else is as well known. I think a lot of people know or recognize bits of, and quotes from "The Sick Rose" and "The Tyger", but certainly don't know the whole poem, and quite often probably don't know the origin.

Pete M

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Jo Taylor
Date: 04 Nov 98 - 06:02 PM

You're NOT serious...are you Ritchie? Though I think William & Peter might have found a certain empathy.

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Jon Bartlett
Date: 04 Nov 98 - 07:40 PM

My reading of Blake is that he was profoundly Christian and equally profoundly anti-Church. I think that his take on Christianity was ahistorical - perhaps anti-historical. Why Palestine and not Peterborough? Why AD 1 and not AD 1798? ("To defend the Bible in this year 1798 would cost a man his life" - one of his marginalia). He takes it that Christ is always present, everywhere, and that the rebuilding of Jerusalem could just as easily take place at Jarrow. IMHO Jon

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Pete M
Date: 04 Nov 98 - 08:54 PM

Jo, surely you're not serious? I can't see then empathiszing at all! Peter Blakes designs, and intent, are, to my mind, profoundly rooted in the materialistic culture that Blake was attacking. That they were percieved at the time as radical and potentially anti-establishment I think mistakes a difference of interest for a difference of values. Art produced to market a product to a target population who want to be seen as "different" is ephemeral by nature, and must operate within the dominant value system.
Blake's art continues to disturb as it attacks the value systems practiced and embraced by the Establishment then and now.

Sorry, end of lecture.

Pete M

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Ralph Butts
Date: 04 Nov 98 - 09:07 PM

Amazing - how much one can learn by just listening.

.....Tiger

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Catfeet
Date: 04 Nov 98 - 11:54 PM

On a lighter note,...Didn't O'Brian & Bashir sing this in a happily miserable drunken scene on DS9?

Catfeet

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Jo Taylor
Date: 05 Nov 98 - 07:46 PM

Oops...suitably chastised. No, I wasn't really and it was very late at night. You're right. I think.

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Ritchie
Date: 06 Nov 98 - 06:08 AM

No Jo...Don't feel chastised... I don't think that Pete's right. I think he's confused with Blackburn Rovers recent signing from Bolton Wanderers ,Nathan Blake.

One of the things I enjoy most about lyrics is other 'peoples' interpretation of them...I often say things that I don't mean and even sometimes it seems that what I have said ....and actually meant... has been taken the wrong way.

Come to think about it though I think I actually prefer the tune of 'Jurusalem' to the words and to think Milton went on to become so successful in the baby/hygene market etc.

Or was that Milton Keynes ?

love and happiness

Ritchie

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Jo Taylor
Date: 06 Nov 98 - 08:06 PM

Thanks Ritchie, I think I'll leave this one now before it gets too serious again!

jo

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Pete M
Date: 09 Nov 98 - 02:36 PM

Well, personally I'm surprised that Peter Balke had time to do any drawing at all in between his sailing. Perhaps Sgt P cover was due to a bout of seasickness?

Sorry Jo, I really didn't intend that to be a lecture, but given the international nature of the 'Cat, it is possible that not everyone knew why Ritchie made his comment, and I find it difficult to be clear, concise and amusing in a way that can't be misconstued all at the same time. Probably due to spending too much time spraying roses to kill off the naked women!

Pete M

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Jo Taylor
Date: 11 Nov 98 - 07:54 PM

Pete M - saw somewhere else - think it was the herring one - you said 'when we left Tavistock 12 years ago' - were you ever in Exeter, Black Horse Folk Club or Jolly Porter? Welcome Inn Sunday sessions? Prospect Inn? Beer Engine? any other clubs etc in Devon?

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Pete M
Date: 12 Nov 98 - 06:42 PM

Hi Jo, no, we never visited Folk clubs in Exeter, the drive back to Tavi' made the expedition too lengthy, our boys were primary school age then, and Sandie, my better half, didn't like leaving them that long. We were regulars at the Buckland Monachorum club though.

regards

Pete M

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Jo Taylor
Date: 12 Nov 98 - 07:15 PM

Where are you now? I was originally in North Devon - Combe Martin - but by 1977 we were in Exeter then Chudleigh (Newton Abbot side of Exeter) but travelled extensively with various bands over the years, I am familiar with village halls the length & breadth of Devon! (and over the borders a bit) Did you go to ceilidhs & barn dances (there never was a suitable word), morris things, or just song clubs?

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 13 Nov 98 - 03:56 AM

I read somewhere (sorry, can't remember where!) that the "dark Satanic mills" were actualy Oxford and Cambridge Universities, which he was blasting for their unchristian teachings.

There's a legend that when Jesus was a little lad a merchant uncle, possibly J of A, took him to Britain on a business trip - whence those feet, etc.

Steve

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Graham Bartram
Date: 02 Dec 98 - 08:31 AM

I've just come across this thread as I was looking for the lyrics to "Jerusalem". There has been a rise in English "nationalism", following the European and World Cups where England competed alongside Scotland. By this I don't mean the National Front, but merely a recognition that they are English as well as British. The English flag has become very popular where a few years ago you wouldn't see it at all. Along with a flag goes a national anthem and I think Jerusalem is up there in the top three choices for a new English national anthem. Scotland uses "Flower of Scotland" (written by the Corries) and Wales uses "Land of my Fathers" (trad.).

At the Commonwealth Games in Malaysia, England used "Land of Hope and Glory" (talk about jingoistic!) and Scotland used "Scotland the Brave" (ditto). Both were so appaling, both in nature and the recordings used that it was painful .

Another 20th century hymn "I Vow to Thee My Country", music by Elgar, is also becomming popular again and could be a new national anthem for the UK if that dirge "God Save The Queen" ever gets relegated to the Royal Anthem

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Ferrara
Date: 02 Dec 98 - 10:30 AM

Hi. Love this thread. The second song about Jerusalem is called The Holy City. We sang it for an assembly in 7th grade, and later I played it as a violin solo. Didn't think I'd ever forget the words, but had to look it up to get the whole thing. Found it here, but no tune:

http://www.magick.net/~action/lyrics.htm#holy

THE HOLY CITY
Original score
Copyright 1892 PD (5:29)

Last night I lay a-sleeping, there came a dream so fair;
I stood in old Jerusalem, beside the temple there;
I heard the children singing, and ever as they sang,
Me-thought the voice of angels from heav'n in answer rang
Me-thought the voice of angels from heav'n in answer rang.

Chorus Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
Lift up your gates and sing
Hosanna in the highest
Hosanna to your King!

And then me-thought my dream was changed,
the streets no longer rang,
Hush'd were the glad Hosannas the little children sang,
The sun grew dark with mystery,
the morn was cold and chill,
As the shadow of a cross arose upon a lonely hill,
As the shadow of a cross arose upon a lonely hill.

Chorus
Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
Lift up your gates and sing*
Hosanna in the highest,
Hosanna to your King!

And once again the scene was chang'd,
new earth there seem'd to be!
I saw the holy city beside the tideless sea;
The light of God was on its street;
the gates were open wide;
That all who would might enter in, and no one was denied.
No need of moon or stars by night, nor sun to shine by day;
It was the new Jerusalem, that would not pass away!
It was the new Jerusalem, that would not pass away.

Chorus

Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
Sing for the night is o'er,
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna forever more!

Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna forever more

* -- I remember this line as "Hark how the Angels sing," but my memory is notorious....

If anyone's interested I'll try to hum the tune into the keyboard or something. No I don't do ABCMus and may have time to learn it around August 2002.

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From:
Date: 06 Jan 99 - 09:54 AM

In the german television i saw last year "The last of Proms" and heard the first time this song. It is a wonderful melody an what a inspiration the people sang it! I was very touched. Sincerly Klaus

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: Ian Downhome Jones
Date: 08 Apr 99 - 11:40 AM

Oh, hush, Peter... true, the Beatles' music and album covers was created by the Imperialist Capitalist Hoo-Ha, but it's all part of the dialectical process... Capitalism containing the seeds of its own destruction and all that. I mean, Blake himself, as a mystic/religionist/utopian was advancing the reactionary values of the opiate of the masses, but remember, Marx and Engels, as members of the League of the Just, would have sung right along. And more power to 'em! Blake rocks! Kick ass! The Beatles also rock! John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band (with the song "Working Class Hero") is probably the best album ever. People who snottily won't invite the Beatles or Blake or anybody else to the Party suck eggs. If we can use the enormous power of the spirit which causes thousands of girls to scream and scream and scream or the enormous power of Blake's poetry in the service of the Movement, then All Aboard! Yee-ha! Anarchy!

Subject: RE: Lyrics For
From: AlistairUK
Date: 08 Apr 99 - 12:17 PM

Okay, just found this fascinating thread. Wasn't Blake part of the pre-Raphaelite movement. "Jerusalem"is certainly a call for simpler more majestic time, as the pre-raph's saw it, when chivalry and ecology were the prime movers. The chartists actually drew up what was to become the basis for socialist thought. They were formed to combat the unfair pay and conditions (especially from the leicestershire weavers) They drew up a charter of twelve basic rules for men(women still didn't figure very largely in there thoughts) that included the right to one man one vote. They were eventually hounded out of existance, but they paved the way for the Tolpuddle Martyrs and the socialist movement as a whole. There you go.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: The Shambles
Date: 17 Jan 04 - 09:34 AM

'Ad that William Blake, on my bus
'Ad a 'bow of burning gold'
I said " you can't bring that on 'ere
Didn't do what 'e was told
Produced these 'arrows of desire'
The passengers got quite fruity
Chucked 'im off before his sword woke up
Well, I 'ad to do 'me duty

Bugger me! I looked behind
Missiles 'shootin' past 'me ears
'E was riding this 'chariot of fire'
And 'chuckin all these spears
'E told the clouds - to unfold
'Then 'e overtook – the sod
I told 'im to get off and walk
'Im and the 'Lamb of God'!

I looked as 'e speed away
Over 'those 'clouded hills'
Me countenance - less than divine
I 'ad one of me pills
Thought about his building plans
Though I admire a man with vision
'E 'ad better not go building 'ere
Not without planning permission

Well Jerusalem has trouble enough
Don't think 'e will improve it
England's pastures green or not
Not the best idea to move it
Move 'the wailing wall' to Surrey?
Is 'e the one to try?
'Aint e' the bloke that rhymes
'Symmetry' with 'eye'?

Roger Gall 2004

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 17 Jan 04 - 11:20 AM

Just to correct the lyrics in the early post, it is:
"And did those feet in ancient time" (i.e. no 's' at the end of the line!)
Nigel (pedant mode off!)

Tune (score & Midi) The Holy City

Nigel

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: LadyJean
Date: 17 Jan 04 - 11:56 PM

The dark Satanic Mills Blake was writing about were churches. Jerusalem was inspired by the story that Christ came to England in company with an uncle who was in the tin trade. The headmistress of my school was an anglophile, so we sang the song a lot.

Subject: Lyr Add: Jerusalemo
From: Haruo
Date: 25 Apr 04 - 03:05 AM

I just added a third Esperanto version of "Jerusalem" to my online hymnal:

JERUSALEMO

translated by William Auld (one of the most significant and prolific of 20th century Esperanto writers), published (Chapecó: Fonto, 1987) in a book entitled Omaĝoj (p. 10)

1. Pratempe en Anglujo ĉu
        Tramontis tiu piedpar'?
   Ĉu paŝtis sin la Diŝafid'
        Sur angla verdo de l' kampar'?
   
   Kaj ĉu prilumis Divizaĝ'
        Ĉi nubajn montojn kun elan'?
   Najbaris do Jerusalem'
        Uzinojn sombrajn de Satan'?
2. Donu pafarkon de la or'!
        Dezirosagojn en saguj'!
   Al mi la lanc'! La nubojn for!
        Flamĉaron mian donu tuj!
   
   Ne cedos mia mensa lukt',
        Nek mia glav' ripozos mem,
   Ĝis sur la verda angla ter'
        Stariĝos jam Jerusalem'.

The other two versions I have are "Ĉu antaŭ longe paŝis Li" from Himnaro Esperanta:

1. Ĉu antaŭ longe paŝis Li en mezo de la amikar' —
   La Diŝafido — tie ĉi sur Anglaj montoj kaj kampar'?
   Ĉu nigrajn montojn ĉirkaŭ ni briligis Divizaĝa lum'?
   Ĉu Jerusalem estis vi, infera fabrikeja fum'?
2. Alportu sagojn de dezir', kaj arkon el flamanta or',
   Kun fajra ĉaro de aspir' kaj mia lanc' — Ho nuboj, for!
   Laboros mi sen tim' aŭ trem' kun glavo preta por komand',
   Ĝis staros Nov-Jerusalem' en Angla bela verda land'.

and this version—not in the original meter, hence not singable to Parry's tune—by John Dinwoodie from Angla Antologio (vol. 1, p. 179):

Pratempe ĉu piedoj tiuj
     Sur la montverdon anglan paŝis?
Kaj ĉu la sankta Di-ŝafido
     En ĉarmaj kampoj sin malkaŝis?

Ĉu vere pro l' vizaĝo dia
     Lumetis niaj montoj nubaj?
Ĉu konstruiĝis Jerusalem
     Inter fabrikoj prem-inkubaj?

Portu al mi pafarkon mian
     Orflaman, sagojn de deziro,
Kaj lancon! Nuboj, disvolviĝu!
     Alportu ĉaron de sopiro!

Ne ĉesos mia lukto mensa,
     Nek glav' en mia man' enuos,
Ĝis en la verda land' Anglujo
     Ni Jerusalem finkonstruos.

I think Auld's is the best of the three, at least to sing.

Haruo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Other texts for Parry's "Jerusalem"
From: Haruo
Date: 25 Apr 04 - 03:14 AM

What other texts do you know of that are sung to the "JERUSALEM (PARRY)" tune?

There's a psalm (forget which one) set to it in the 1987 Psalter Hymnal of the Christian Reformed Church (a US Dutch-cum-Huguenot denomination). And I recently ran across this in the Yale University Press hymnal, A New Hymnal for Schools and Colleges (or vice versa?):

O day of peace

Carl P. Daw, Jr., 1982 (© Hope Pub. Co.)

1. 
   O day of peace that dimly shines through all our hopes and prayers and dreams,
   guide us to justice, truth, and love, delivered from our selfish schemes.
   May swords of hate fall from our hands, our hearts from envy find release,
   till by God's grace our warring world shall see Christ's promised reign of peace.
2. Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb, nor shall the fierce devour the small;
   as beasts and cattle calmly graze, a little child shall lead them all.
   Then enemies shall learn to love, all creatures find their true accord;
   the hope of peace shall be fulfilled, for all the earth shall know the Lord.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 26 Apr 04 - 03:13 AM

Jerusalem is great and was my school hymn...King Edward V1 Grammar at Totnes.I was there in the1960's and the school closed soon after I had left. Anyone else go there???

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: Gurney
Date: 26 Apr 04 - 05:31 AM

The legend that Steve Parkes quotes above is also referred to in Neville Shute's novel 'No Highway,' where it is an article of faith (not Faith) of one of the main characters, a slightly mystic and eccentric scientist.
Good book, if dated. No criminals, spies, or graphic sex. Just ordinary folk in an extraordinary situation.

I've a faint memory of the 'Hosanna' Jerusalem hymn. Was it Catholic?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: GUEST,Statesthebleedingobvious
Date: 26 Apr 04 - 08:02 AM

Why wouldn't Jesus come to England? It seems natural he would want to come to see where his father came from.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: GUEST,Risky Business
Date: 26 Apr 04 - 08:28 AM

Now I have to get in the fish tank and sing!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: Burke
Date: 26 Apr 04 - 11:13 AM

Isn't this used in a brief scene in "Chariots of Fire?"

As a teenager I read the novel "Refuge in Avalon" by Marguerite Steedman, 1962 that must be based on the legends that Jesus went to England. It's a fictional life of Joseph of Arimathe. In it Jesus & Joseph of Arimathea (his uncle) go to Avalon when Jesus is a teenager. After the resurrection Joseph goes to England, with the grail. A staff he has, that was carved from him by Jesus, ends up taking root at the end.

It seems to combine a number of legends others have mentioned in the thread.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: Schantieman
Date: 26 Apr 04 - 11:37 AM

The Monty Python sketch referred to by Christian in Syracuse aeons ago (above somewhere) was the bed shop sketch. Mr Verity (John Cleese I think) is a salesman in a bed shop. Every time anyone says 'mattress' to him he puts a paper bag over his head and the rest of the staff have to stand in a tea chest and sing 'Jerusalem'

See Buying a Bed

On a slightly different note, I (little me) wrote a third verse to Blake's Jerusalem many years ago and I'd like it to be sung - if it's any good.

And shall the joy be thus confined;
Cease at the bounds of England's shore?
Shall minds be closed and hearts unmoved
While mute starvation pleads for more?
This must not be - we shall fight on;
Our love extend - our greed destroy.
Then truly shall Jerusalem
The whole world o'er shout out her joy!

What do people think?

Steve

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: LindsayInWales
Date: 26 Apr 04 - 11:56 AM

There's another rather lovely song on the Jerusalam/Glastonbury theme, and that is "Bread And Fishes"..

By the way, I have the sheet music to The Holy City if anyone would like a copy

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 09:57 PM

So we were watching Monty Python on DVD today and came upon the bed shop sketch, which led my son (age nine) to ask about the song, so here I am Mudcatting and Googling... and finding some answers to previous questions:

Why does the Women's Institute sing Jerusalem?

Sheet music, arranged by Philip Legge, and another arrangement, by Michael Winikoff (scroll down or use "find in page").

Also, this comment on the Pythons' use of the song in this sketch, and others, from this site:

Is there any significance behind the song "England's Mountains Green" (or whatever it's called)? It seems to be the only song anyone ever sings, outside of sketch-specific songs (like the Lumberjack Song).

[The song you talk of was originally a poem by William Blake called 'Jerusalem'. It speaks of the possibility of Jesus having visited England. The poem has four verses but you only ever hear the Monty Python boys sing the first one which goes, "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?" If there's any sort of in-joke connected to it's use, I'm not aware of it. It seemed to just be the standard song/hymn they used when a song was needed that wasn't sketch specific. Some of the sketches it appeared in were 'Salvation Fuzz/Church Police', 'Buying a Bed' and 'The Art Gallery Sketch'. Something that may be relevant, though, is that the only one who was present every time it was sung was Eric Idle. Perhaps he just liked it?]

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: Haruo
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 10:20 PM

Actually I think Blake titled his poem "Preface to Milton", not "Jerusalem". As written it had four stanzas, but as sung it has only two, because the tune used is twice as long as one of the original stanzas. (Compare singing "Come thou long-expected Jesus" to Stuttgart (4 stanzas) vs. Hyfrydol (2).

Haruo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: Snuffy
Date: 03 Oct 04 - 06:24 AM

Today being Apple Day, the Shakespeare Mummers will be performing the Apple Play at Mary Arden's House near Stratford upon Avon. At the end of the play we sing this song to celebrate England and her traditional apples. Most of the words are still Blake's, but the rest are mine.

JUICE-ALEM
From the Apple Day Mummers Play 1997

And did those teeth in ancient times crunch upon England's apples green?
And was the Bramley apple pie on England's dining tables seen?
And did the cider pure and strong pour forth in pints, and quarts and gills?
And did the apple bring good health to folks in dark satanic mills?

Bring me my Cox of burnished gold; bring me my Worcester, firm and sweet.
Bring me my Pippins, new or old; bring me some English fruit to eat.
I shall not eat that tasteless pomme, nor shall a French fruit soil my hand,
Till English apples rule again in England's green and pleasant land.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: GUEST,Allen
Date: 04 Jun 05 - 05:55 PM

The 'dark satanic mills' are NOT churches, but factories. They were destroying a way of life, driving people into horrific poverty and were foul blots on the landscape. This is a cry to arms, to create a better world. Blake was a radical, then and now.
Christ visiting England is a misreading I think, it's hard to explain, but feels more like he is talking of a lost ideal, to which we must return.
How using England makes it imperialist or jingoistic, I still haven't figured out.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 04:36 AM

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountain 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 spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 05:59 AM

There's a wonderful scene in The Lonliness Of The Long Distance Runner where a whole auditorium of young "Bothy" Boys" (I think that's what they were called) in an English reform school sing this song with complete seriousness and great feeling. Very majestic and unexpected. I can't recall the words to the song, and perhaps it wasn't this one, but it was very moving.

One of my favorite movies..

Jerry

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 06:38 AM

It also features in Chariots of Fire.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 06:39 AM

And Monty Python.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 07:10 AM

And 'Calendar Girls'.....

LTS

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: Le Scaramouche
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 07:20 AM

What would Blake say to the WI?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: GUEST,Joe_F
Date: 11 Sep 05 - 09:35 AM

Jerry R.: I think you mean *borstal* boys. Bothies are Scottish farmworkers' lodging houses.

--- Joe Fineman    [e-mail]

||: When a Scotsman moves to England, it raises the average of intelligence in both countries. :||

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: GUEST,David Arrowsmith
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 06:26 PM

A great version of jerusalem on Bob Davenports latest CD 'Common Stone' sung to a tune morris men will know, the rose tree, Bampton.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jerusalem (The English Song)
From: JohnB
Date: 25 Jun 06 - 11:29 PM

Wasn't that version used in one of the new Radio Ballads put out by the BBC just this year? If so it was mentioned in another thread, I tried aquick search but found nothing.
JohnB