In England's Green & Pleasant Land

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 & pleasant Land

This poem by William Blake set to music by Parry was inspired by the story that a young Jesus accompanied by Joseph of Arimathea travelled to what is now England.  The legend is from a idea in the Book of Revelation and describing a Second Coming where Jesus establishes a new Jerusalem, a metaphor for Heaven.  The song is so well loved that it is called the "unofficial" anthem of England.

Remember that I told you I would be away for a few weeks and would be very busy? Richard and I were in England! We had a wonderful time and the weather was glorious! Lots to tell you about and you know that Richard took lots of photos! I was happy that I was able to see The Last Night of the Proms on the "telly".  

Didn't see all of it, but we saw the last part, with the songs from Mary Poppins and all the Last Night of the Proms favorites...Jerusalem, Land of Hope and Glory, and Rule Britannia...which, by the way, I kept humming the whole time I was there!)

 

I love the song "Jerusalem".  As an American, I didn't know it until I first heard it in the 80's from the film "Chariots of Fire" (which is one of my FAVORITE films of all time,  I truly love it.)

The director of the movie was going to name it "Running" until he heard this song from another one of my favorite TV shows of all time, "Songs of Praise".  

Look what I found here, from Wikipedia...showing William Blake's words written in his own hand and at the bottom he has written the words "Would to God that all the Lord's people were Prophets".  It is from the Bible, from the Book of Numbers. 

 

 

 

 

Of course, I have the video for you!  The conductor, Sakari Oramo, had such an infectious enthusiasm!  I hope that you enjoy this as much as I do!

 

 

 

More to come about England, I promise you.  Richard's photos are just stunning, just you wait until you see them!  Did we make it to London? Did I talk with everyone that I met about Louis Zamperini? What do you think?  :-)