Jerusalem
Jerusalem Lyrics
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! 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
About
‘Jerusalem’ is a hymn arranged and orchestrated in 1916 by Sir Hubert Parry (1848-1918). The lyrics of the hymn are taken from a poem by William Blake, a famous poet and artist of the Georgian era whose work focused on religion, science, nature and civilization.
‘Jerusalem’ speaks of a legend in which Jesus Christ traveled to what is now Glastonbury in England during his “unknown years”, the period of his life uncharted by the Bible or other religious texts. Blake was a believer in his own strain of Christianity, which advocated tolerance and pastoral living, and the poem is seen both as a triumphant Christian declaration, and as a patriotic anthem towards Blake’s home nation, England.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning