After forming in early 1970, the band came to prominence following their performance at the Isle of Wight Festival in August 1970. In their first year, the group signed with Atlantic Records and released Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970) and Tarkus (1971), both of which reached the United Kingdom top five. The band's success continued with Pictures at an Exhibition (1971), Trilogy (1972), and Brain Salad Surgery (1973). After a three-year break, Emerson, Lake & Palmer released Works Volume 1 (1977) and Works Volume 2 (1977) which began their decline in popularity. After Love Beach (1978), the group disbanded in 1979.
The band reformed partially in the 1980s with Emerson, Lake & Powell featuring Cozy Powell in place of Palmer. Robert Berry then replaced Lake, forming 3. In 1991, the original trio reformed and released two more albums, Black Moon (1992) and In the Hot Seat (1994), and toured at various times between 1992 and 1998. Their final performance took place in 2010 at the High Voltage Festival in London to commemorate the band's 40th anniversary. Both Emerson and Lake died in 2016,[6][7][8] leaving Palmer as the only surviving member of the band.
Jerusalem
Emerson Lake Palmer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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
The opening verse of the song "Jerusalem" by Emerson Lake & Palmer is based on William Blake's poem called "And did those feet in ancient time", the latter being a significant piece of work that speaks to the idea of the Biblical narrative and asks whether it might have been plausible for Christ to have traveled to England two thousand years ago. The poet considers religious symbols such as feet, lambs, and countenances as he contemplates the natural beauty of England's green hills and pastures, pondering whether God could have possibly walked there. The poem also asks prophetic questions about the divinity of Christ and whether, like Christ, a divine countenance could shine forth on the hills of England, bringing about a sense of holiness and sacredness in the area.
In the second verse, the poet wonders if the city of Jerusalem might have been built in the midst of England's industrial revolution, during the 19th century when manufacturing was at its peak. The poet refers to these times as "dark satanic mills," and wonders if amidst all the pollution and chaos, an ancient city of splendor might have been erected. The final verse is a call to arms to build a new Jerusalem in England by making mental efforts, taking up arms, and fighting until the goal is accomplished. The poet requests weapons such as a bow of burning gold, arrows of desire, a spear, and a chariot of fire, and vows never to stop until the city of Jerusalem is built in England's green and pleasant lands.
Line by Line Meaning
And did those feet in ancient time,
Did Jesus Christ walk on the mountains of England in the past?
Walk upon England's mountains green?
Did Jesus Christ come to England and walk on its green mountains?
And was the holy Lamb of God
Did Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the Lamb of God, ever come to England?
On England's pleasant pastures seen?
Did Jesus Christ ever appear in England's pleasant pastures?
And did the countenance divine,
Did a divine face ever appear in England?
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
Did a divine face ever shine upon the hills of England?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Was the city of Jerusalem built in England?
Among these dark Satanic mills?
If Jerusalem was in England, was it built amid the 'dark, Satanic mills' of the Industrial Revolution?
Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me a powerful weapon to use in battle
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me the tools to achieve my goals
Bring me my spear, oh clouds unfold!
Bring me the strength to fight against adversity
Bring me my chariot of fire!
Bring me a powerful and fast vehicle to help me achieve my goals
I will not cease from mental fight,
I will continue to struggle intellectually to achieve my goals
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
I will not let my guard down or be complacent in my fight
Till we have built Jerusalem
I will continue to fight until Jerusalem is built in England, representing a metaphor for a better society
In England's green and pleasant land
I will fight until a better society is built in England's beautiful and serene landscape
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Carl Frederick Palmer, Gregory Lake, Keith Noel Emerson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@maggimar3118
Became a fan of these geniuses when I was 13 years old. 52 years later, I'm still convinced that ELP is the best band ever.
@majsiewiczm57
Masz rację też tak uważam ❤❤😂
@paulberry5750
Best Supergroup Ever. We'll never see such skill & talent again.
@majsiewiczm57
I zaangażowania wspaniałych ludzi
@TheArcade70
L'une des reprises les plus inattendues et les plus osées jamais réalisées par le rock progressif. Un monument. Quand on pense que la BBC l'avait interdit de passage sur son antenne...
@MsTrotwood
This is the best version of the best hymn ever ❤❤❤
@santiagosanchezblanco9430
Maravilloso.Esto es muy grande.Desde que lo escuche por primera vez en 1981 me deslumbro.Enorme version.
@dallasljones
Just superb!
@steventidwell3184
Awesome...simply awesome!❤❤❤
@garysakamoto4007
Brain Salad Surgery. Great album!!!