This is a take on Blake's "Jerusalem," a poem traditionally recited as a hymn in the Church of England. Gore turns the poem into a critique of self-righteous people who seek to judge others for decisions because, per their religion, they believe they are right. The song employs irony--the notion that ideas are justification enough to kill for, despite them being in direct defiance of the rules of Christianity--and thus reflects the tradition of singing "Jerusalem" on St. George's Day. St. George himself was a martyr, killed by the Romans for refusing to recant his Christian faith, and was the patron saint of the Crusaders, who killed millions in the name of the Christian God.
@spring5989
I noticed this too, so I'm adding the original poem text:
@spring5989
I noticed this too, so I'm adding the original poem text:
And did those feet in ancient time,
Walk upon Englands[b] mountains green:
And was the holy Lamb of God,
On Englands pleasant pastures seen!
And did those feet in ancient time,
Walk upon Englands[b] mountains green:
And was the holy Lamb of God,
On Englands pleasant pastures seen!
And did the Countenance Divine,
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here,
Among these dark Satanic Mills?
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!
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...
I will not cease from Mental Fight,
Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand:
Till we have built Jerusalem,
In Englands green & pleasant Land.
Although I think the song is more about how the world did change and people have lost their values, turning their interests to scandals, money and watching TV instead of fighting for higher goals.
This is a take on Blake's "Jerusalem," a poem traditionally recited as a hymn in the Church of England. Gore turns the poem into a critique of self-righteous people who seek to judge others for decisions because, per their religion, they believe they are right. The song employs irony--the notion that ideas are justification enough to kill for, despite them being in direct defiance of the rules of Christianity--and thus reflects the tradition of singing "Jerusalem" on St. George's Day. St. George himself was a martyr, killed by the Romans for refusing to recant his Christian faith, and was the patron saint of the Crusaders, who killed millions in the name of the Christian God.
@spring5989 I noticed this too, so I'm adding the original poem text:
@spring5989 I noticed this too, so I'm adding the original poem text:
And did those feet in ancient time, Walk upon Englands[b] mountains green: And was the holy Lamb of God, On Englands pleasant pastures seen!
And did those feet in ancient time, Walk upon Englands[b] mountains green: And was the holy Lamb of God, On Englands pleasant pastures seen!
And did the Countenance Divine, Shine forth upon our clouded hills? And was Jerusalem builded here, Among these dark Satanic Mills?
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!
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...
I will not cease from Mental Fight, Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand: Till we have built Jerusalem, In Englands green & pleasant Land.
Although I think the song is more about how the world did change and people have lost their values, turning their interests to scandals, money and watching TV instead of fighting for higher goals.