Getting in voice for Saturday's Proms

With the Proms on the Park coming up on Saturday evening, today Audlem Online continues its mini-series on the traditional Proms songs so everyone can get a little practice in before the event! Today we focus on Jerusalem, still sung at WI meetings and always a Proms favourite. The words were written by William Blake in 1804 – and are more about the living conditions of the time than patriotic rejoicing – and the music is by Sir Hubert Parry, composed in 1916.

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 these 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.

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