Parry's first major works appeared in 1880. As a composer he is best known for the choral song "Jerusalem", the coronation anthem "I was glad" and the hymn tune "Repton", which sets the words "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind". He was director of the Royal College of Music from 1895 until his death and was also professor of music at the University of Oxford from 1900 to 1908. He also wrote several books about music and music history. Some contemporaries rated him as the finest English composer since Henry Purcell, but his academic duties prevented him from devoting all his energies to composition.
Influenced as a composer principally by Bach and Brahms, Parry evolved a powerful diatonic style which itself greatly influenced future English composers such as Elgar and Vaughan Williams. His own full development as a composer was almost certainly hampered by the immense amount of work he took on; but his energy and charisma, not to mention his abilities as a teacher and administrator, helped establish art music at the centre of English cultural life. As head of the Royal College of Music, he numbered among his leading pupils Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gustav Holst, Frank Bridge and John Ireland.
Jerusalem
Charles Hubert Hastings Parry Lyrics
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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! 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 and pleasant Land.
The lyrics of the song Jerusalem by Charles Hubert Hastings Parry pose a series of questions, asking if Jesus Christ walked on England's "mountains green" or was seen on the country's "pleasant pastures." It also asks if the holy building, Jerusalem, was created "among those dark Satanic mills." The song calls for action, urging the listener to bring various tools of battle - bow, arrows, spear, chariot - to continue the "mental fight" and not let their "sword sleep in their hand" until they have built Jerusalem in England's green and pleasant land.
The song is widely regarded as a patriotic song and has since become synonymous with England's identity. Although the lyrics are open to interpretation, many people consider the song to be part of the Christian tradition since it speaks of Jesus Christ and the holy building of Jerusalem. The juxtaposition of England's "green and pleasant land" with the "dark Satanic mills" also suggests that the song is commenting on the Industrial Revolution and how it's polluted England's natural beauty.
Line by Line Meaning
And did those feet in ancient time
Did the feet of Christ walk on England's mountains in ancient times
walk upon England's mountains green?
Did Christ walk on the green mountains of England?
And was the holy Lamb of God
Was the divine Christ present on England's pleasant pastures?
on England's pleasant pastures seen?
Did people ever sight Christ on England's pleasant pastures?
And did the countenance divine
Did Christ's holy presence shine on England's hills, hills which were once gloomy and clouded?
shine forth upon our clouded hills?
Did Christ's holy presence shine on the clouded hills of England?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Is it possible that Jerusalem was built on this land, where today only factories exist?
among those dark Satanic Mills?
Is it possible that Jerusalem lies amidst the dark mills of Satan which occupy this land?
Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Fetch me my bow, ablaze with gold flames!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my arrows that are consumed with desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Fetch me my spear, and clouds, move away!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
Bring me my chariot that is ablaze with fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
I will not stop fighting in my mind
nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
My sword will never rest in my hand
till we have built Jerusalem
Until we have built Jerusalem here
In England's green and pleasant Land.
In this green and pleasant land of England.
Contributed by Mila G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@baruchrachamim1025
absolutely lovely
so moving and sincere
as an american, i'd like to submit a version that americans and citizens of the commonwealth might sing :
And did those Feet in ancient Time walk upon England's Mountains green
And was the holy Lamb of G-d on England's pleasant Pastures seen
And did the Countenance Divine shine forth upon her clouded Hills
And was Jerusalem builded there, among those 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 the sword sleep in my Hands
'Til we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant Lands
@DennisLiewDennis
Jerusalem by Sir Hubert Parry (1848-1918)๐ฌ๐ง๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
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: 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 and pleasant land.๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ๐ฌ๐ง
@brianbaker8166
GLORIOUS! ABSOLUTELY GLORIOUS! THANK YOU!
@michaelhayden725
It always stirs me to thought as to how it, the original poem, was written in the very early 19th century. It then went on to stir a nation and then provide the inspired title of one the great films. Cheers!
@Joe-qv3yn
Magnificent and stunning.
@LucianaPelota
Thank you!
@debbieforde1946
โค๏ธ ๐ reminds me of our school assemblies, lovely memories
@denisehogarth5433
Wonderful
@esta1ful
Wonderful hymn. We donโt sing it so much in the Colonies, alas.
@EvelynElaineSmith
Right now, what I would give for some green & pleasant land, although I live in a place nicknamed "Jerusalem on the Brazos" (a.k.a. Waco, Texas). Great performance, BTW.
@baruchrachamim1025
absolutely lovely
so moving and sincere
as an american, i'd like to submit a version that americans and citizens of the commonwealth might sing :
And did those Feet in ancient Time walk upon England's Mountains green
And was the holy Lamb of G-d on England's pleasant Pastures seen
And did the Countenance Divine shine forth upon her clouded Hills
And was Jerusalem builded there, among those 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 the sword sleep in my Hands
'Til we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant Lands
@paul-ks3jt
What a tune๐๐๐