Jerusalem
Blake [Artist] Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 those dark Satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold
Bring me my arrows of desire
Bring me my spear! Oh, clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire
I will not cease from mental fight
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand




Til we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Blake’s poem β€œJerusalem” focus on the image of England as a utopian and almost mythical land. The opening lines of the poem question whether Christ himself once walked upon the natural beauty of England’s hills and fields, and whether his presence there imbued the land with a special holiness. This introduction speaks to the idea of England as God’s chosen land, with England’s natural landscapes providing a kind of spiritual energy.


Blake next questions whether a kind of divine radiance ever shone down upon the hills of England, and whether Jerusalem itself might have once been built on that very spot, despite the presence of the β€œdark Satanic mills” of the Industrial Revolution. The contrast between natural beauty and industrialization is a central theme of the poem. The final stanzas are a call to arms, a rousing call for the people of England to rise up and fight for their utopian vision of Jerusalem. The repetition of β€œBring me my bow…” emphasizes the urgency of the fight, while the final declaration that they will not give up until they have β€œbuilt Jerusalem” is a clear rallying cry.


Line by Line Meaning

And did those feet in ancient time
Did those feet from a long time ago, belonging to a specific someone, exist or walk the hills of England?


Walk upon England's mountains green?
Did those feet walk upon the hills of England that are green?


And was the holy Lamb of God
Was the sacred lamb of God present in that time and place?


On England's pleasant pastures seen?
Was the Lamb of God seen on the beautiful pastures of England?


And did the countenance divine
Did the gaze of divinity, with its benevolent light, shine?


Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
Did the divine light shine upon England's hills despite them being covered in dark clouds?


And was Jerusalem builded here
Was Jerusalem built in the same place that the singer is referring to?


Among those dark Satanic mills?
Was Jerusalem built amid the darkness and negativity associated with the Industrial Revolution?


Bring me my bow of burning gold
Fetch my bow that has a fiery golden hue


Bring me my arrows of desire
Obtain for me the arrows that represent my passions


Bring me my spear! Oh, clouds unfold!
Bring me the spear and make the clouds part through superhuman power!


Bring me my chariot of fire
Fetch my chariot made of fire


I will not cease from mental fight
I refuse to retire from my mental struggle


Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
I shall not let my sword at rest while it is held in my hand


Til we have built Jerusalem
Until we have established Jerusalem


In England's green and pleasant land!
In England's beautiful and delightful terrain!




Lyrics Β© Peermusic Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN CROFTON HARLE, WILLIAM BLAKE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Nicholas Miranda

I've been waiting for this! This is Blake's greatest work, in my opinion. Thank you :)

Csaba Hoffmann

The true human history in a nutshell. And our impending final act. Thank you! ❀

The One That Walks.......

Thank u sir u just explained my late night meeting with the the ravens last night A man in my life over 20 yes called upon me last night. Amor...

shae wonder

One was in my basement watching my son play his gameπŸ‘€πŸ™†β€β™€οΈπŸ˜

Creative Learning NY

Listening to you read Neville lead me to this...πŸ’₯

Papa Addo

Great job

Luke Stefanik

πŸ€πŸ™πŸ§˜β€β™‚οΈ

Anthony

Thank you

FELICIA ALEXANDRU

Grazie !!!

The One That Walks.......

I am here sister. Amor...

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