Smoky Mountains Sunrise

Sunday, September 19, 2010

"Jerusalem" - William Blake and Sir Charles Hubert Parry




The lyrics of this hymn are from a poem by William Blake. The poet was inspired by the legend that young Jesus, accompanied by his uncle Joseph of Arimathea, who was a maritime trader, traveled to what is now England and visited Glastonbury.

The video was made by Mr. Greg Benton, author of the beautiful Canadian blog, Piddingworth.

On this day of his beatification, we dedicate this great hymn to Blessed John Henry Newman.

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 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


2 comments:

kkollwitz said...

Ahhh...dear 'Jerusalem.'

How appropriate to connect it Cardinal Newman. I should've thought of this on my own. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Dear Folks: I'm Prem Kumar Francis, a 59-yr old guy in the northern suburbs of Bombay (now Mumbai) in India.
Just heard "Jerusalem" during the wedding ceremony of Prince William & Kate. I always was inspired by it - specially after hearing it for the first time in the film "Chariots of Fire". Later on i heard it sung inthe funeral service of President Reagan at the National Cathedral in Washington DC.
i would love to have the sheet music of this great hymn.
thanks!
A big God Bless you all!
premkumarfrancis
pkfrancisconsultant@yahoo.co.in