Born in Pontarda… Read Full Bio ↴Mary Hopkin (born May 3, 1950) is a British singer.
Born in Pontardawe, Wales, she grew up Welsh-speaking and began her musical career as a folk singer. She was discovered after appearing and winning ''Opportunity Knocks' hosted by the much imitated and more recently chronicled Hughie Green. She was one of the first artists to record on The Beatles' Apple record label.
Her single "Those Were the Days", produced by Paul McCartney, was released in the UK on August 30, 1968 (catalogue number APPLE 2). Despite competition from a well-established star, Sandie Shaw, who released her version of the same song as a single, Hopkin's version became a #1 hit in the UK singles chart, and reached #2 in the US.
On February 21, 1969 her debut album Postcard, also produced by McCartney, was released. It includes covers of three songs from Donovan, who also played on the album, and one song each from George Martin and Harry Nillson.
The next single was "Goodbye", written by Paul McCartney (but credited to Lennon-McCartney), released on March 28, 1969 (APPLE 10); it reached #2 in the UK singles chart. It was kept off the top of the charts by the Beatles' single "Get Back". "Goodbye" has never been officially released by the Beatles, although a demo version can be found on some of the Beatles' bootlegs.
Her song, "Rachel's Song", was featured on the Blade Runner soundtrack by Vangelis.
She represented the UK in the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest singing "Knock Knock Who's There", which came second in the contest, narrowly beaten by "All Kinds of Everything" performed by Irish singer Dana. "Knock Knock Who's There" was released as a single (APPLE 26) on March 23, 1970, reaching #2 again in the UK singles chart.
After marrying record producer Tony Visconti in 1971, she mainly withdrew from the pop music scene to have a family, although she sang backing vocals for "Sound and Vision" on the 1977 David Bowie album Low as well as appearing on the 1977 Thin Lizzy album Bad Reputation (produced by Visconti). Hopkin and Visconti divorced in 1981.
In 2005, Hopkin appeared on Dolly Parton's [abum artist=Dolly Parton]Those Were the Days album, singing on Parton's remake of the title cut. Also in 2005 the first CD on Mary Hopkin Music Live at the Royal Festival Hall was released. In 2007 Valentine was released.
The Early Recordings is a compendium of Hopkin's pre-Beatles Welsh-language recordings made on the Welsh Cambrian label which were re-released on the Decca in the late 1970s as The Welsh World Of Mary Hopkin and re-released in the late 1990s as The Early Recordings.
Mary is now making her back catalogue of music available visit Mary Hopkin Music at www.maryhopkin.com
Jerusalem
Mary Hopkin 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
Among these 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.
The song "Jerusalem" by Mary Hopkin is a rendition of a poem written by William Blake in 1804. It begins by questioning whether Christ had walked upon the mountains of the British Isles and whether his presence was felt on the green pastures of the country. The following lines express Blake's belief that divine guidance is necessary to combat the difficulties of the world. The Countenance Divine refers to God's presence in human form, shining forth on the clouded hills, representing the need for clear thinking and enlightenment when faced with adversity. The final line questions whether Jerusalem was indeed built in England, amongst the satanic mills.
The second verse of the song is a call to arms, a call for the people to take up arms in order to fight for their beliefs. The bow of burning gold, the arrows of desire, and the chariot of fire are all symbols of the strength and power of the human spirit. The human spirit must not rest, it must engage in a constant mental battle, with the sword never asleep in the hand. The final line is a call for the English people to build Jerusalem in their country, signifying the need for change and improvement in their world.
Line by Line Meaning
And did those feet in ancient time
Did the divine presence visit England in the past?
Walk upon England's mountains green?
Did the divine presence make its way into the countryside?
And was the Holy Lamb of God
Was Jesus Christ present?
On England's pleasant pastures seen?
Did Jesus Christ appear in England?
And did the Countenance Divine
Did the face of God appear?
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
Did God's face shine on the hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Was a new Jerusalem built in England?
Among these dark satanic mills?
Despite the presence of the Industrial Revolution?
Bring me my bow of burning gold.
Grant me strength and the will to fight.
Bring me my arrows of desire.
Provide me with the tools necessary for battle.
Bring me my spear, oh clouds unfold.
Unleash the power of heaven.
Bring me my chariot of fire.
Provide me with inspiration and fervor.
I will not cease from mental fight,
I won't give up, mentally or emotionally
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
I will be constantly vigilant and prepared to fight.
‘Til we have built Jerusalem
Until a better society is built.
In England's green and pleasant land.
In the beautiful countryside of England.
Contributed by Evelyn O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
flashtheoriginal
As an Englishman, I bow before this Welsh Princess. A voice of an angel and for all time.
Beautiful, simply beautiful
Ursula Bean
Oh Mary- this really made me cry
Your voice is divine
What a perfect song for you
Jimmy Louie
Beautiful voice and well sung by Mary.
Ingo Stankau
What a wonderful interpretation of this great hymn. Thank you Mary Hopkin. What a pity that this song never was released on a single.
Simon Edgbaston
⭐ From Spirit 🌙
MrPlatypus9
William Blake. Sung by a woman with the voice of an angel.
Fabio Mendez
Quiza Judith la supera algo en la pureza de su voz, pero en algunas es superior Mary con cierto toque indescriptible
LectronCircuits
Absolutely beautiful. Shalom. Cheers!
Simon Edgbaston
🌟 Mary is one of our finest 🌤
the king
Wonderful version