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Jerusalem, or England recovered

The poem by William Blake has become England’s unoffical national hymn. Music by Sir Herbert Parry.

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 built here
Amongst 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.

A friend of mine once said that the lyrics of “Jerusalem” outdid the nationalism of anything the Germans have ever devised, including the Nazi regime. Transcendent national social justice.