Californian Reacts | Jerusalem and God save the Queen - Last night of the Proms 2012

‘Jerusalem’ takes its words from a poem by William Blake and is often put forward as an alternative English national anthem. But how well do you know its lyrics and history?

‘Jerusalem’ is a beautiful hymn by choral trailblazer Sir Hubert Parry, and a favorite for England’s national anthem.

‘And did those feet in ancient time’ – also the hymn’s first line, and alternate title – is a poem written by William Blake around 1808. Taken from the preface to his great work Milton: A Poem in Two Books, the poem was inspired by the legend that Jesus might have travelled, with Joseph of Arimathea, to England – to Glastonbury, to be precise.

According to its most common interpretation, Blake’s poem suggests that a visit from Jesus will create heaven in England, in contrast to the ‘dark Satanic Mills’ of the Industrial Revolution.

The tune to ‘Jerusalem’, written much later in 1917, was composed by Parry, who also wrote the choral favorite ‘I Was Glad’.

- Who wrote the hymn ‘Jerusalem’?
When ‘Jerusalem’ was included as a patriotic poem in a 1916 collection for a country at war, it immediately caught the eye of Parry – who was more than happy, at the suggestion of the Poet Laureate, Robert Bridges, to set it to music, calling it simply ‘Jerusalem’.

Parry had died just four years earlier, so this re-orchestration was Elgar’s way of paying tribute to his fellow composer.

‘Jerusalem’ tells of the legend that Jesus might have travelled to Glastonbury

- Lyrics to Jerusalem:
"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."

- Is ‘Jerusalem’ England’s national anthem?
‘God Save the Queen’ is the national anthem for the UK, and it is often also used for England.

But ‘Jerusalem’ has become an unofficial second national anthem and is often used by England at sporting fixtures, such as the Commonwealth Games, where each of the home nations is represented separately.

It has become the official hymn of the English Cricket Board and is usually sung at both the Rugby League Challenge cup Final and the Super League final.

[christopherbarnett]

'British by birth. English by the grace of God'. Peace out.

[tonyfields]

I worked in the Gulf with an ex US Marine at the time that William & Kate got married he paid us the complement "Nobody but nobody does ceremony like the Brits". Made me so proud.

[glastonbury]

Jerusalem for England and I vow to thee my country as our national anthem, 2 great British hymns...❤

[robertlangley]

A proud country with a proud past and I am still proud of my beloved country and god bless Great Britain 🇬🇧

[rogerbritton]

Our Queen was a national treasure, one of the most respected ladies on the planet, she was simply amazing, she was the glue that kept the UK together, may she rest in God's eternal light... You are missed... 🙏🇬🇧

[bobbierocksbuster]

Said it before and I will say it til the end of time, NOBODY and I mean NOBODY does pomp and circumstance like the British.

[Mark_Bickerton]

Whilst I did not sob, I had tears running down my cheeks with God save the Queen... I guess I'm not over her loss yet!

[shirleyhair]

English born and bred, a true brit and proud of it❤

[Myviewoftheworldful]

Jerusalem is the most beautiful and patriotic song….

Bring me my bow (my bow) of burning gold
Bring me my arrows of desire
Bring me my spear o'clouds unfold
Bring me my chariot of fire….

When these lyrics kick in as an Englishman I feel I can run through brick walls.

[Ceremonial]

God Save the King. So bloody proud to be British ❤🇬🇧

[dee]

My mother watched last night at the proms religiously every year. Sadly she passed away age 83 after contracting covid in Oct 21 so she died before our Queen, but she would’ve loved this beautiful rendition of our national anthem paying respect so well to our wonderful late Queen. It stirred the soul. May they both Rest In Peace 🙏🏻

[pip.]

Being a 73 year old English man, every time I hear this which you can imagine has been many times still, brings a tear to my eye.
God bless England and my American cousins. Thanks for sharing this. 🇬🇬🇺🇸

[hc]

Jerusalem is a tearjerker of a song. God save the King.

[kevinadamson]

This song stirs the soul in every true Englishman. 😊

[andrewgodfrey]

I played the salute (God Save the Queen) in Nova Scotia for the Queen Mother with my kids brass band. That was at least 55 years ago and I’m still proud.

[missmerrily]

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon Englands 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.

[suzywong]

Just bought two tickets for 2024, 14th September.
We are reluctant to celebrate our history. Will enjoy just one night when this is allowed.

[rodb]

Thousands all with one voice. Spine tingling. And very emotional.

[davidgreenfield]

Hi, from Great Britain, South Yorkshire. Patriotic tears every time.

[scottnyc]

I’m American but would love to witness this live in person one day.
Jerusalem is probably one of the most patriotic songs.
I went to England back in 1999.