Jerusalem (hymn)

Jerusalem (words William Blake 1804, music Charles Parry 1916), is a hymn and patriotic song that is consistently voted England's unofficial national anthem. Blake's original poem was set to music by Parry during the First World War. The poem/hymn speaks of a perfect England of the imagination, but one that could exist in reality if only we all worked together. Many of Blake's references are obscure, and almost certainly reflect his mystical philosophy. Scholars have been arguing over their meaning for 200 years.

Jerusalem is also unusual as a patriotic song in that it is named after a foreign city. It is the official anthem of both the Conservative Party and the Labour Party, the conservative Women's Institute and the socialist Trades Union movement.

And did those feet in ancient time

Walk upon England's mountains green?

And was the holy Lamb of God

On Englan's pleasant pasture's 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