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.
Wonderful song, although not written by Mr. Bragg but by the English painter, engraver, poet and writer William Blake (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_blake). These are from the preface of Milton (one of his greater works): http://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.