Jerusalem

P.S. Should probably have put ‘Jerusalem, the Hymn’ in the title.

I hated loathed and despised 'Jerusalem'. What a foolish song. When we had to sing it at school after the line, 'and did those feet etc..?' I always shouted, 'No. Don't be ridiculous!'

I have always enjoyed Jerusalem and it still gives me goosebumps.

Another fan of Jerusalem here. It’s one of few anthems I know by heart.

'Jerusalem' - ah one of the best hymns.

One of my favourites

William Blake is not one of the easiest poets to make sense of. People who just feel the symbolism as if by instinct understand Jerusalem at the most important level

I'm sure you all just like singing along to a rousing tune. Would you still sing it to different music? Somehow I doubt it.

The hymn is a question which makes it powerful.
No he probably didn't or he might have done. But we can still do something about the dark satanic mills....

PS / GSD gets "goosebumps "is the sort of appreciator I refer to. She did not need formal teaching,

Aveline would probably be okay with Jesusalem if she had been taught the complicated symbolism that Blake used. I was more like Aveline---sceptical and unwilling to approve of words that seemed to make no sense, although I liked the tune and all singing together.

Jerusalem is a favourite in our family. It’s the anthem of Gtr Manchester CID. Hearing it sung at my fathers funeral by family, friends and former colleagues in the police force is something I’ll never forget

I often think of hymns.

Ransomed , healed, restored, forgiven.

Immortal , invisible, God only wise

I don't know why, a nostalgic feeling. A time gone by.

Aveline

I hated loathed and despised 'Jerusalem'. What a foolish song. When we had to sing it at school after the line, 'and did those feet etc..?' I always shouted, 'No. Don't be ridiculous!'

As far as I'm concerned, the jury's out on that one 🙂
There is a possibility.

P.S. Should probably have put ‘Jerusalem, the Hymn’ in the title I must admit, my first thought was that something terrible had happened there today, Calendargirl.

I love the beginning of Jerusalem.
Last night as I lay sleeping, there came a dream so rare, I stood in old Jerusalem beside the temple there, Alone a boy was singing and ever as he sang, me thought the voice of angels from heaven in answer rang.
Me thought the voice of angels from heaven in answer rang…….

Jerusalem is one of my favourite hymns .

It's beautiful .

I understand from my musical friends that it's written in D major - all I know is we really struggle to sing it in church and we don't very often !

Just brings memories of the Deputy Head- a rather eccentric figure who strode around the school in his black gown-peering at us over his glasses and announcing. "If you knew the real meaning of those words perhaps you wouldn't sing with such enthusiasm." None of us knew anything about Blake of course.

I always enjoyed singing Jerusalem at school and church and Last Night of the Proms.
Many years later I also enjoyed singing Richard Stilgoe's version incorporated in the Calendar Girls 'Hi, we're the W.I.'

I certainly don't need to be 'taught complicated symbolism' and deeply resent that anyone would think I did.
Signed Dr Aveline.

What a great hymn.
It was sung at our wedding - in Church - many years ago
Would it be allowed now??

An interesting take on it here:
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/culture/39697/almost-everything-you-know-about-the-hymn-jerusalem-is-wrong#:~:text=Misunderstandings%20of%20the%20poem%20have,who%20grinds%20down%20human%20souls.

I'm a big fan of Jerusalem. I love Blake's use of language and it fits the music perfectly in my opinion. The forcefulness of 'Bring me my bow of burning gold', not to mention the use of alliteration and metaphor throughout. Lovely.

It was the hymn we picked for my dad's funeral many years ago. He wasn't religious, but he was a keen Labour supporter, and at the time Jerusalem was sung at the Labour Party conferences. It was so uplifting that day.

Aveline

I hated loathed and despised 'Jerusalem'. What a foolish song. When we had to sing it at school after the line, 'and did those feet etc..?' I always shouted, 'No. Don't be ridiculous!'

I don't hate it - but have always found it completely ridiculous.

Oh dear Aveline twice in one week we've agreed on something !Find the lyrics of this "hymn" ridiculous ,not that it was sung in our schools in the 60's.