Friday, September 16, 2016

Jerusalem (England's Green and Pleasant Land)





As an American, I didn't learn of the song "Jerusalem" until I first saw the film "Chariots of Fire" (which I love, by the way.) The song is from a poem by William Blake and the music by Hubert Parry. Of course, it is a very well known and loved song in England. (It is the one of the favorites of my in-laws.) The song was celebrated this year for its 100th anniversary. (The poem is much older, of course!) Some call it a hymn and some do not.  Personally,  I think it should be considered a hymn.  I found a wonderful sermon for you and it says exactly the way I feel about this song!  You may read it just here!


Hope all of you are doing well!  I have quite a few things to tell you and also to ask you!  Will be able to spend more time on the computer next week.  Hope so anyway. 

23 comments:

  1. I need to watch that movie again. That was beautiful. Both videos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am glad you liked both videos! I know you love "Chariots of Fire" as much as I do!

      Delete
  2. Good song. I'll be happy when you are able to post more. I'm waiting for your stories and questions.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's one of my favourite songs/hymns too. It always gives me chills! When I was in England a few years ago, our tour leader wanted our little group of Americans and Canadians to sing it with her beside the Holy Thorn of Glastonbury located on the abbey grounds. Turned out I was the only one who knew it so she and I just sang it together. That's what I get for being an Anglophile, lol!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the thought of the two of you singing it together!

      Delete
  4. That was a good movie and I love old hymns. They've endured through the years for a reason!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know that the popular thing is for churches to have a drum set and to have more contemporary music but I like the old hymns the best.

      Delete
  5. Jerusalem is a great Sacred Song, isn't it. I have loved singing it with choirs over the years - it is very inspiring.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How very wonderful it must be to sing it with a choir!
      Would truly love to do so myself.

      Delete
  6. I so love this song. I thought of you today when I read that the new tv show (I think it is on FX) called Atlanta is filmed near YOUR Stone Mt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh dear, I hope this won't mean that I won't be able to get to the walking trails. Sometimes, when they film things here, they tend to shut places down and you aren't allowed to visit. Hope that doesn't happen to Stone Mountain!

      Delete
  7. I love Jerusalem and it's probably my favourite hymn - I do think of it as a hymn. It's always amazing to hear it sung with such passion and gusto at the Proms! X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am certain that it must be one of THE most beloved songs in England! I know that Richard and his family love it. Did you see the Proms? I am sure that you did!
      xx

      Delete
  8. Jerusalem is indeed a beautiful song. I think given the religious context of the song it should be classed as a hymn. I didn't realise it was that old. It doesn't look a day over 20.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It doesn't look a day over 20? Like me, I suppose! HA!

      Delete
  9. Jerusalem is in the 1982 Episcopal Hymnal #597 with words by American Carl Daw.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, the 1982 Episcopal Hymnal with some of the best hymns in the world! Thank you for your comment. If you comment again, you may put your first name at the end of your comment so I will know who you are, okay? Thanks again for visiting.

      Delete
  10. I love the song as well (and "Chariots") Blake was crazy but a genius.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Dennis! So Blake was a crazy genius, just like me! HA!
      Listen, I found the BEST sermon on this very same song/hymn and I want to go and add a link to it, but I will tell you that you may find it just here -https://cragoblog.wordpress.com/
      I hope you see this reply to your comment and check out the sermon!

      Delete
  11. I thought "Jerusalem" was a hymn. I learned it in choir in the Baptist Church in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. It's one of my favorite hymns. Thanks for sharing it, Kay!

    ReplyDelete