The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
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.
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.
Lyrics submitted by SquidOmelet
Blake's Jerusalem Lyrics as written by Traditional
Lyrics © Public Domain
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Great version of a great song,
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He believed more in liberty, because he thought that would bring equality, a view strongly oppossed by most socialists.
Perre- I consider governments providing for the people liberty. I consider wealth equaling power as corruption
no ones commented... what the fucks with all theese lyrics no one comments on?
billy said in an interview i herd that he sees this as a socialist anthem almost. ...or somthing to that effect or a similar effect. sorry, it was a while back.
Traditionally Jerusalem was a socialist anthem in the UK. People want to build a better society and use Jerusalem as a shorthand word for that. It also says that if you want a better world you will have to fight for it, although it embraces non-violent methods and uses battle as a metaphor for the class struggle. ("I will not cease from mental fight") I am sure as new people join we will get more comments on the songs.
Yeah, it has long been a socialist anthem
it has been adopted by all classes in britian and has just as much to do with Public school where it is regulary sung at assemblies
Wonderful song, although not written by Mr. Bragg but by the English painter, engraver, poet and writer William Blake (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_blake). These are from the preface of Milton (one of his greater works): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/And_did_those_feet_in_ancient_time
Bruce Dickinson, the one from Iron Maiden indeed, did record this song also on his Chemical Wedding album which is completely inspirid by Blake (more songs and artwork). Mr. Dickinson did change some words (unfortunately).
Mr. Bragg started a campaign to make Jerusalem the official anthem of ENGLAND (opposed to God Save the Queen as BRITISH anthem).
The song was claimed by socialists during the eighteenth century because Mr. Blake opposes to a strong ruling class who he sees as corrupt and owns everything (i.e. satanic mills --> factories of the bourgeoisie) and the song echos the sphere of revolution (i.e. I will not cease from mental fight). We must keep in mind that Mr. Blake was a libertarian and not a socialist (most of the socialistic views were set halfway the eighteenth century, some 50 years later). He believed more in liberty, because he thought that would bring equality, a view strongly oppossed by most socialists.