And did those feet in ancient time
From Open Encyclopedia
And did those feet in ancient time is a poem by William Blake from the preface to his work Milton: a Poem (1804). Today it is best known as the hymn Jerusalem, with music written by C. Hubert H. Parry in 1916.
The poem was published in a patriotic anthology of verse in 1916 because morale had begun to decline due to the high number of casualties in the First World War and the perception that there was no end in sight. It was little known before then. To many the poem seemed to define what Britain was fighting for and so Parry was asked to put it to music at a Fight for Right campaign meeting in London's Royal Albert Hall. The most famous version was orchestrated by Sir Edward Elgar in 1922 for the Leeds Festival.
This is considered to be one of England's most popular patriotic songs, often being used as an alternative anthem. It is variously associated with English nationalism, anti-modernism, post-modernism, socialist ideals, and Christianity, thereby holding a rather odd position. Jerusalem is the official anthem of the British National Party and the British Women's Institute, and historically was used by the National Union of Suffrage Societies.
The text of the poem was inspired by the legend that Jesus, while still a young man, accompanied Joseph of Arimathea to Glastonbury. Blake's biographers tell us that he believed in this legend. However, the poem's theme or subtext is subject to much sharper debate, probably accounting for its popularity across the philosophical spectrum. As a paean to a mythical Englishness the poem has come under criticism: after all, the first verse is a series of questions to which the 'truthful' answer is no, while the second frames a series of demands to which the reply might well be "get them yourself!". Consequently many see it as unsuitable as an alternate National Anthem, and its reference to a foreign capital city as puzzling to other nations. It is unlikely that Blake intended such a literal interpretation.
One particular line from the poem, "Bring me my chariot of fire", which inspired the title of the film Chariots of Fire, most probably draws on the story of 2 Kings 2:11, where the Old Testament prophet Elijah (prophet) is taken directly to heaven.
The song was performed by the band Emerson, Lake and Palmer on their album Brain Salad Surgery, where it appeared under the title Jerusalem. Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson recorded a much transformed version on his solo concept album about Blake, The Chemical Wedding. The Fall and Billy Bragg have also recorded versions of the song, and the KLF (as the Jamms) used it to end "It's Grim Up North". Composer Robert Steadman incorporated a version in his remembrance-themed choral work In Memoriam (premiered in 1995). In 2000, British novelty-pop group Fat Les recorded another version, entitled Jerusalem or alternately Jerusalem 2000. This time it was a rousing electronic dance track, and was used as the England football team's theme at Euro 2000.
Jerusalem, along with Abide With Me, is always sung at the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final and both songs are known as Rugby League anthems. Since 2004 it has been sung at the beginning of England cricket matches and is regularly sung by Rugby Union crowds.
The tune has been set to several texts in the United States, where the traditional lyrics would have little relevance, including O Love of God, how strong and true, which was performed in an arrangement by Michael McCarthy at Ronald Reagan's funeral at Washington National Cathedral.
Jerusalem is the school hymn of the Northfield Mount Hermon School, where it is regularly sung to the traditional music. The line "Bring me my arrows" is traditionally shouted instead of sung, however. The hymn was a personal favorite of Dwight Moody, the founder of the school.
Jerusalem/And Did Those Feet is a favourite hymn for the girls of the Bishop Strachan School in the 1980s and 1990s.
Text
- 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 these 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
Some versions (including Blake's original) have "strife" rather than "fight".
