Hi.. The national anthem is for all the UK . I agree that Jerusalem should represent England. Just as Scotland and Wales have theirbown anthems. I love Jerusalam. To be honest I wouldnt mind if Jerusalem became the national anthem.
Agree, but for the UK. It's not difficult to get rid of 'England' in the text. And did those feet in ancient time Walk then upon our mountains green? And was the holy Lamb of God, Upon our pleasant pastures seen! ... etc.
@@lyndavarty4402 But there is an ancient tradition that Joseph of Arimathea brought Jesus as a boy to the West Country. He plantet his staff at Glastonbury and it became a tree. That's what Blake refers to.
I love Jerusalem, it makes me want to cry it was sung at my mum's funeral many years ago and was her favourite song, just as it was her mum's favourite song, who died before I was born. Jerusalem was the song of the Women's Institute it is part of our culture, our history and cannot be heard without conjuring the love of family long gone. I'm from Lancashire and those "dark satanic mills" our communities were built on, there were around 104 of them but now it is down to around 4, it was tough but it made tough working class people, proper cohesive communities, honest, gritty, hard working, caring and funny we need that spirit back again. We had the mills, yes, but nearby we have those green rolling hills, and Jerusalem taps into that, because when I die, I feel part of those hills, that its more than the here and now, the physical presence, but that I will become part of that land once again, because that is where my spiritual home is here, among those hills and pasture. God Save the Queen / King is about someone divorced from my country, who expects to be feted by the country, rather than being about the monarch serving his or her country itself and its people. Particularly the grassroots, ordinary working people, especially in the north which Starmer, and the monarch care little about and whose fate they are indifferent to.
Patriotism is under attack. Elites want a borderless culturally benign world. They ask too much from those who build and cherish life properly. All families have borders ❤️
😅 coming from an American that is a heck of a compliment. We can be very proud but its not very english to show pride, we could honestly learn something from the americans unapologetic pride in recent years though with all the attacks on british and american culture. We've seen of worse though 💪🇬🇧🇺🇸
You Americans hang out more national flags than any other country on earth. You drape them on your porches and make shirts and suits out of them. Your self-congratulatory fascist MAGA cult is laughed at and hated in England. American Jingoistic nationalism also hated in the rest of the Civilised World.
@@seldom_bucket We are glad you British Football-Hooligans are gone from the European Union. Donald Trump loves you....Ha Ha Ha. Hello from Sophisticated Europe.
If England permanently adopted Jerusalem then the Six Nations would have the six greatest national anthems in the world (I'm English, I don't even hate the monarchy, but GSTK doesn't make me think of England, it makes me think of the UK)
God Save The King doesn't make me think of England either. But then, neither does Jerusalem. It makes me think of Israel. The words to Jerusalem might be about England, but the title alone is reason enough for me to not want this song as my national anthem. There has to be a better option.
"Jerusalem" will never be forgotten for its incredible spine-tingling role in the British film " The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" 1962, a film the youth of Britain have probably never seen, but which will leave a permanent impact upon them. It is set in Nottingham and Skegness. It is set to the words of your visionary poet, William Blake. Every Briton should know it.
I agree and we keep God Save the King for the UK. Today is my wedding anniversary I was asked what hymn I would like at the my wedding. Now in context my wife is Scotish and I was getting married in Scotland. My mother-in-law to be who is Scotish says she likes it so we can have it. So on my wedding I had 30+ Scots singing Jerusalem to me. It was cracking.
We were taught this as part of 'hymn practice' at primary school in the 70s, which we had twice a week (not a church school, but this was part of school life back in the day).
Love this song. Beautiful!! Lol. True story. I was a university student in Leeds in the 1980s. I went to a function where there was a very patriotic British compierre who started singing this beautiful song and urged the crowd to join him. I have known this song all my life. I was astounded to see that none of the British youth nor young adults knew the words or lyrics at the time, and even asked me to sing it loudly so they could copy me. The older generation did, but none of the younger. I was an international Commonwealth student from Sri Lanka, who grew up in Kenya. So glad to see it being sung so wholeheartedly by all. Such a glorious piece, lyrics and all.
As an Englishman, I must agree that Jerusalem by William Blake is Superb and would be a great national anthem . Failing that, We could also use Rose of England by Ivan Novello
Thanks Matt . Love what you’ve just said. As a rugby nut. Roll in the real English anthem. We need the passion back in England so you guys can enjoy beating even more 😂😂. Seriously great clip . Jamie England uk🏴🏴🏴🏴❤️
Great video Matt, refreshing to hear your opinions as a Welshman on the hymn. Jerusalem was the unoffical hymn of our school in the 70s. As a Rhinos fan I've sung it at Old Trafford finals. The only other hymn with sporting connections that moves me is Abide With Me, memories of singing that with my late father at the Wembley FA Cup Final in 1972. I always enjoy the Welsh (and French) national anthems too, the power and emotion of both when sung by a crowd is overwhelming. Thanks.
I absolutely love I Vow to Thee, My Country" is a British patriotic hymn, created in 1921 when music by Gustav Holst had a poem by Sir Cecil Spring Rice set to it. Beautiful 😍
I think people have to remember that officially, GSTK isn't the anthem of England. We don't have one. Wales and Scotland do, Northern Ireland goes with GSTK. GSTK is the Royal Anthem, I think we should adopt a Danish mentality ( 2 anthems) and have Jerusalem or something similar (Not Land of Hope and Glory) as the National anthem.
@@Londoneye57 I just don't like it as a piece of music, and it'd be weird since the US has it as their school graduation music. (Which was a weird experience, having it blast out of all the TVs in Walmart, during a demo video)
Thank you for sharing your awesome video i agree with you in every world i loved that you read the words of Jerusalem it makes sence why it should be England's national anthem God bless you and stay safe ❤
The Northern Ireland soccer team uses GSTK. When England play Northern Ireland there's only one anthem. If England (or Northern Ireland) play Liechtenstein, then GSTK and the Lechtenstein anthem "Oben am jungen Rhein" are both played, despite them having exactly the same tune.
Always preferred Jerusalem. When at school in the 1970's, we sang Jerusalem everyday at the end of the school assembly followed by a prayer and then dismissed to classes.
'God Save the Queen/King' is always erroneously stated to be the national anthem of England. No, it is the national anthem of the United Kingdom. I, for one, want England and the English to have our own, and Jerusalem would be my choice.
In Australia, the Seekers' song 'I Am Australian' is a similar sentiment. It's much better than 'Advance Australia Fair' and the previous 'God Save the Queen'.
Born English, I love my country and I love this hymn it beautifully captures the values of English culture, I really really wish more people would just sing this over GSTK that’s for the Uk this is Englands national anthem 🌹🏴
A poem written in 1804 by William Blake to honour the Crusaders who fought to free the Holy Land from the tyrannical expansionist rule of the ever growing threat of Islam, some 500 years prior.
@@ethelmini Thank you for your reply Mrs S Tupid, but I am a little saddened by your lack of poetic understanding when your refer to, "dark satanic mills". When read in the context of 13th century, the word "mill" can be translated loosely in Arabic to mean "grinder", and the reference here is to the meat grinder of war.. Read the words of the full Ode and you will see that it refers to the quest and the strife of combat with their arms (swords and arrows) and comfort of the thought of returning safely home to England's pastures green. (in this world or the next).
Nonsense. That's historically inaccurate. The crusades were launched for a number of reasons, mainly to do with greed, power and finding something to do for a lot of landless young knights who were becoming a problem. - The Byzantine (eastern Roman) empire wanted help regaining lost lands. - The Pope saw it as a chance to unite the bickering Christian countries and put the church at their head gaining it more power. - The Merchant class saw it as an opportunity to gain control of the eastern ports which controlled trade from the Far East. - In noble families the first son inherited the land, the second went into the church and the third would train to be a knight. Consequently there were a lot of landless young knights, heavily armed and well trained causing trouble. The crusades were a useful excuse to send the away and give them something useful to do and a chance for them to grab land, wealth, power and reputation. The nobles also used it as a good excuse to get rid of any trouble makers by enlisting them as soliders Being a different religion was just an excuse the church used to justify all this. The Islamic rulers of Jerusalem were actually very tolerant of other religions, unlike the Catholic church who persecuted anyone who didn't exactly follow their teachings including other christian sects. Jews and Christians freely lived in Jerusalem and were allowed to practice their religion and worship at the temple.
I count myself as British - mostly English but also large parts Northern Irish, Welsh and way back in the past a bit of Scots. However, l have never liked God Save the King/Queen - a bit of outdated Victorian dirge. There are a few other contenders for an English national anthem - such as Land of Hope and Glory but other than being a better tune than GSTK (and want isn't besides a one note monotone) it is also very outdated and rather dubiously nationalistic. Jerusalem by contrast is timeless, a wonderful tune and - as you rightly pointed out - a wonderful piece of poetry put to music. I heartily wish this was England's national anthem.
Its not just League that uses Jerusalem as its national anthem. Union have been doing the same for years. I think the difference in use is when the member countries of the UK play each other like Wales vs England. But not when England play other teams (like against France in the 6 Nations) when the UK National Anthem is played. Its an outstanding anthem. And can I gently suggest that while you are free to hope for an independent Wales its not a good look to mock our National Anthem because the vast majority of people in the UK (including Wales) are happy with the Monarchy (76%) and 'God Save the King' as it DOES represent ALL of the peoples of the 4 nations that are the UK.
Blake's poem stems from the ancient British Histories that record Jesus came here and built a Church with Joseph of Arimathea, and the Britons became Christian long before Rome. Some would say Essenic Christian. I believe it was widely taught in schools until the early 20th century, certainly in Wales. Talking of which, Men of Harlech eh? There's a banger for you.
Da iawn, Matt. Some of us have more than one heritage, so I am torn on this. I think I have sung 'GSTK' many times, but I do not know the second verse. No no one ever taught me. However I didn't have to 'learn' Jerusalem, the words and music captivated me on first hearing. I learned 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' but the English version and translation are obviously not the same. Jerusalem's lyrics seem to speak for the people of England and what their aspirations are, whereas God save the King or Queen concentrates on the reigning figure head. Diolch yn fawr.
There's a Jerusalem in Skellington in South Yorkshire, but I suppose that doesn't scan very well. "'Till we have built Skellingthorpe in England's green and pleasant land"
Laura has a wonderful voice but the rendition of this song at any Last night of the Proms makes the heart soar. Without a doubt shoukd be Englands national anthem.
The so called national anthem is a German song and its about one person and not the country whereas Jerusalem is about the country as a whole and its more rousing.
Not exactly. Technically we don't have a national anthem. God Save is the Monarch's anthem, but only because people started singing it at the time of the 1745 Jacobite rebellion (starting in the Theatre Royal Haymarket) - the tune might have started in France, but no-one's sure. It became popular elsewhere, and the number of countries that have used it is impressive. Several German states adopted it from us - the German anthem during WW1 was Heil dir im Siegerkranz, to the tune of God Save. The current German anthem was the Austrian one, written by Haydn because they didn't want to use a British song.
I think it is about Jesus. Land of Hope and Glory and the current UK anthem invoke a god that atheists like me do not believe in. I Vow to Thee my Country is more fitting and likely generally acceptable to all as it does not include any god in it.
Completely agree Matt. Jerusalem has a beautiful tune, and the words can be taken either as religious or metaphorical. A hope for a better future for all our people. Better than any “we’re the best and will beat any foreigners” type songs.
The English National Anthem is beautiful; it starts with the question, Did those feet, referring to the Lord who was said to have walked on the land of Britain
I'd just like to point out that England doesn't actually have an national anthem so 'God Save the King' is the UK's national anthem only. Northern Ireland doesn't have a national anthem either. Both fall back onto the UK's national anthem. Surprising so many people don't actually know this.
Every English person I’ve ever met including myself thinks God Save the King is uninspiring and dull. However, we are divided over whether it should be Jerusalem or Land of Hope and Glory. The former is hauntingly beautiful and has the added advantage of actually containing the word ‘England’ while the latter is beyond epic. Both songs take patriotism to another level. How about we adopt a kind of medley and start with Jerusalem then segue into Land of Hope and Glory..? No National anthem in the world could beat that combo 😎
@@hiboo6012 NO reference to "Palestine" in the Qur'an. Homework: My book "Cracking the Qur'an Code: God's LAND, TORAH and PEOPLE Covenants with ISRAEL in the QUR'AN and ISLAMIC TRADITION"
Not going to lie, given what is happening in our cities and towns at the moment, Jerusalem did bring tears to my eyes. I am pondering just what on earth is going to happen because things can go very, very, wrong, very quickly.
The first verse questions the mythical history of England. The second doesn't answer the questions, but says instead that we should fight to make the country worthy of the myth. It's a radical a vision from William Blake. For Jerusalem to be accepted as England's national anthem, Conservative England needs to change radically.
I like your reasoning and I’ve always loved Jerusalem. I say I’m British because although I was born and raised in England, both my parents were thoroughbred Scots. I’m a royalist so I don’t object to God save the King, but since the death of Queen Elizabeth, things seem very different. I don’t feel as loyal towards King Charles. So I could be persuaded.
Jerusalem is also sung before England cricket matches (and if you didn't know, officially it's England AND Wales cricket), this SHOULD be England's SPORTING anthem
I think it’s beautiful .I love it. No different in Canada. We absolutely love the maple leaf forever. I think both of these should the countries anthem. Jerusalem for England ,maple leaf forever should be Canadas . It’s time we got back what is truly beautiful of each of these countries.
An incredible rendition - although I favour a slightly slower version myself because I think it really maximises the impact. I suspect time was a factor in doing it this way.
God Save the King is more the UK/ Commonwealth Anthem, each country has it's own national anthem as well. I wish they played them all more often. I heard Jerusalem for the first time in the movie Chariots of Fire.
NI does not, of course, have a national anthem, as it is not a 'nation'. The meaning of the original poem has been lost - it is a proto-socialist appeal by Blake, a misunderstood genius.
Yeah in England we have a bit of a identify crisis that a someday hopefully soon it will be addressed and totally agree with you that O Jerusalem' should be our national anthem
People who think that this is some sort of patriotic English hymn have no idea. William Blake wrote the words as the introduction to his epic poem ‘Milton’. Blake was a supporter of the French Revolution. He was arrested and charged with sedition ( though later released). For him, the “dark Satanic mills” were not just the mills of industrial Britain, but all means of oppression, including the church and the monarchy. The commonly sung version of his poem wrongly sings about “those dark satanic mills” rather than,as Blake wrote, “”these😢 dark satanic mills”. The satanic mills are still with us. Building Jerusalem in England’s green and pkeasant land is a hope for a utopian future, not a song of praise for England as it currently exists. Blake must be turning in his grave at how his words have been expropriated.
I'm English, and I agree. Jerusalem should be our national anthem.
Hi.. The national anthem is for all the UK . I agree that Jerusalem should represent England. Just as Scotland and Wales have theirbown anthems. I love Jerusalam. To be honest I wouldnt mind if Jerusalem became the national anthem.
I love I Vow to thee my Country.
I'm so glad you said this. I've always thought Jerusalem should be our anthem
Agree, but for the UK. It's not difficult to get rid of 'England' in the text.
And did those feet in ancient time
Walk then upon our mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God,
Upon our pleasant pastures seen! ... etc.
Yes English anthem but not united Kingdoms god save the king is for all of britain
No the feet of Jesus never trod on this land.@pabmusic1
@@lyndavarty4402 But there is an ancient tradition that Joseph of Arimathea brought Jesus as a boy to the West Country. He plantet his staff at Glastonbury and it became a tree. That's what Blake refers to.
either always look on the bright side of life or bring me sunshine
As an American who lived for many years in England, I tear up every time hear this song!!!
Your root is still English, maybe England or Scots or Ireland.
Wales too.
@@Shala-q8t To this day I think of England as my true roots which is surprising seeing how we're of Dutch descent.
I love Jerusalem, it makes me want to cry it was sung at my mum's funeral many years ago and was her favourite song, just as it was her mum's favourite song, who died before I was born. Jerusalem was the song of the Women's Institute it is part of our culture, our history and cannot be heard without conjuring the love of family long gone. I'm from Lancashire and those "dark satanic mills" our communities were built on, there were around 104 of them but now it is down to around 4, it was tough but it made tough working class people, proper cohesive communities, honest, gritty, hard working, caring and funny we need that spirit back again. We had the mills, yes, but nearby we have those green rolling hills, and Jerusalem taps into that, because when I die, I feel part of those hills, that its more than the here and now, the physical presence, but that I will become part of that land once again, because that is where my spiritual home is here, among those hills and pasture.
God Save the Queen / King is about someone divorced from my country, who expects to be feted by the country, rather than being about the monarch serving his or her country itself and its people. Particularly the grassroots, ordinary working people, especially in the north which Starmer, and the monarch care little about and whose fate they are indifferent to.
Here Here. I feel the same about my beloved Dorsetshire, land of Tolpuddle and Hardy.
As an American, it is something strange to be envious of your feelings of national patriotism. Beautiful.
Patriotism is under attack. Elites want a borderless culturally benign world. They ask too much from those who build and cherish life properly. All families have borders ❤️
😅 coming from an American that is a heck of a compliment.
We can be very proud but its not very english to show pride, we could honestly learn something from the americans unapologetic pride in recent years though with all the attacks on british and american culture.
We've seen of worse though 💪🇬🇧🇺🇸
You Americans hang out more national flags than any other country on earth.
You drape them on your porches and make shirts and suits out of them.
Your self-congratulatory fascist MAGA cult is laughed at and hated in England.
American Jingoistic nationalism also hated in the rest of the Civilised World.
@@seldom_bucket We are glad you British Football-Hooligans are gone from the European Union. Donald Trump loves you....Ha Ha Ha.
Hello from Sophisticated Europe.
Which would you have as you national anthem The Star Spangled Banner?Or God Bless America?
If England permanently adopted Jerusalem then the Six Nations would have the six greatest national anthems in the world (I'm English, I don't even hate the monarchy, but GSTK doesn't make me think of England, it makes me think of the UK)
Would be incredible!
God Save The King doesn't make me think of England either. But then, neither does Jerusalem. It makes me think of Israel.
The words to Jerusalem might be about England, but the title alone is reason enough for me to not want this song as my national anthem.
There has to be a better option.
@@madMARTYNmarsh1981 Just call it "And did those feet" instead
@@madMARTYNmarsh1981Ace of spades
This exactly
"Jerusalem" will never be forgotten for its incredible spine-tingling role in the British film " The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner" 1962, a film the youth of Britain have probably never seen, but which will leave a permanent impact upon them. It is set in Nottingham and Skegness. It is set to the words of your visionary poet, William Blake. Every Briton should know it.
I'd forgotten that.
Sometimes feels like we are a dying breed, but I do love my country and its people, for what its worth. Jerusalem is perfect.
I agree and we keep God Save the King for the UK. Today is my wedding anniversary I was asked what hymn I would like at the my wedding. Now in context my wife is Scotish and I was getting married in Scotland. My mother-in-law to be who is Scotish says she likes it so we can have it. So on my wedding I had 30+ Scots singing Jerusalem to me. It was cracking.
Bollocks God save the king is not the British national anthem no such thing as a British monarch
We were taught this as part of 'hymn practice' at primary school in the 70s, which we had twice a week (not a church school, but this was part of school life back in the day).
That recording did not do the audience justice. They were harmonizing! I wish I had been there.
Love this song. Beautiful!!
Lol. True story. I was a university student in Leeds in the 1980s. I went to a function where there was a very patriotic British compierre who started singing this beautiful song and urged the crowd to join him. I have known this song all my life. I was astounded to see that none of the British youth nor young adults knew the words or lyrics at the time, and even asked me to sing it loudly so they could copy me. The older generation did, but none of the younger. I was an international Commonwealth student from Sri Lanka, who grew up in Kenya.
So glad to see it being sung so wholeheartedly by all. Such a glorious piece, lyrics and all.
I turn off when GSTK is played. I hate it. Jerusalem gives me goose pimples and tears.
For me Land Of Hope and Glory, sends shivers down my spine,goose bumps all over my arms.
So emotional, absolutely beautiful, much better than the national anthem
As an Englishman, I must agree that Jerusalem by William Blake is
Superb and would be a great national anthem . Failing that, We could also use Rose of England by
Ivan Novello
Great Britain is more than just England
Thanks Matt . Love what you’ve just said. As a rugby nut. Roll in the real English anthem. We need the passion back in England so you guys can enjoy beating even more 😂😂. Seriously great clip . Jamie England uk🏴🏴🏴🏴❤️
Good thoughts mate. I agree, as a rugby league fan who regularly goes to the Grand Final I love belting this out.
Emotional and beautifully uplifting. 100% should be the English national anthem 🏴
"I Vow to Thee My Curry" is more more fitting today.
Not many do today though.
Ha. I got the joke.
Lyrics with song for real impact to be understood. Absolute must.
Thanks mate. She brought tears to my eyes.
Great video Matt, refreshing to hear your opinions as a Welshman on the hymn. Jerusalem was the unoffical hymn of our school in the 70s. As a Rhinos fan I've sung it at Old Trafford finals. The only other hymn with sporting connections that moves me is Abide With Me, memories of singing that with my late father at the Wembley FA Cup Final in 1972. I always enjoy the Welsh (and French) national anthems too, the power and emotion of both when sung by a crowd is overwhelming. Thanks.
Always brings me to tears. She did an absolutely incredible job! What a voice!
It doesn’t need to be seen as racist as Jerusalem is seen as a holy city for Jews, Christians and Muslims.
I absolutely love I Vow to Thee, My Country" is a British patriotic hymn, created in 1921 when music by Gustav Holst had a poem by Sir Cecil Spring Rice set to it. Beautiful 😍
Would never work. No current British politician would be able to get "I Vow To Thee my Country" out without their noses starting to grow longer.
I agree with you definitely the best .
@@peterduffield1401 😂😂
Love the tune of I Vow to Thee, but the words are a bit too 1914-16 for me.
@@Chris-mf1rm At least it mentions the country which the current dirge never does.
" I vow to thee my country" should be the National Anthem of England.
Should be our national anthem instead of that boring derg we have.
Dirge?
So, do you BELIEVE Jesus actually set foot in England?
That anthem would DEVIDE the country.
It is a dirge, doesn't mention our nation once and no way will I sing of a deity in whom I do not believe.
@@tonybennett4159
The fact that you're an atheist is irrelevant Mr Bennett.
There must he many Frenchmen and women who aren't republicans.
Excellent! Blake and Parry were geniuses. The words and music capture the soul of the nation.
I think people have to remember that officially, GSTK isn't the anthem of England. We don't have one. Wales and Scotland do, Northern Ireland goes with GSTK. GSTK is the Royal Anthem, I think we should adopt a Danish mentality ( 2 anthems) and have Jerusalem or something similar (Not Land of Hope and Glory) as the National anthem.
Why not Land of Hope Glory - just interested in why you pointed that out.
@@Londoneye57 I just don't like it as a piece of music, and it'd be weird since the US has it as their school graduation music. (Which was a weird experience, having it blast out of all the TVs in Walmart, during a demo video)
Thank you for sharing your awesome video i agree with you in every world i loved that you read the words of Jerusalem it makes sence why it should be England's national anthem God bless you and stay safe ❤
The Northern Ireland soccer team uses GSTK. When England play Northern Ireland there's only one anthem. If England (or Northern Ireland) play Liechtenstein, then GSTK and the Lechtenstein anthem "Oben am jungen Rhein" are both played, despite them having exactly the same tune.
As a Welshman I say this should be England's national anthem. This is amazing beyond words.
Always preferred Jerusalem. When at school in the 1970's, we sang Jerusalem everyday at the end of the school assembly followed by a prayer and then dismissed to classes.
'God Save the Queen/King' is always erroneously stated to be the national anthem of England. No, it is the national anthem of the United Kingdom. I, for one, want England and the English to have our own, and Jerusalem would be my choice.
In Australia, the Seekers' song 'I Am Australian' is a similar sentiment.
It's much better than 'Advance Australia Fair' and the previous 'God Save the Queen'.
Matt, you are so right with your assumption! I put my tick against the anthem, but let our flag remain as it is- it is perfect!
Born English, I love my country and I love this hymn it beautifully captures the values of English culture, I really really wish more people would just sing this over GSTK that’s for the Uk this is Englands national anthem 🌹🏴
Jerusalem is my national anthem , chills me ,so proud
A poem written in 1804 by William Blake to honour the Crusaders who fought to free the Holy Land from the tyrannical expansionist rule of the ever growing threat of Islam, some 500 years prior.
Where were the dark satanic mills in the 14th century Middle East?
@@ethelmini Thank you for your reply Mrs S Tupid, but I am a little saddened by your lack of poetic understanding when your refer to, "dark satanic mills". When read in the context of 13th century, the word "mill" can be translated loosely in Arabic to mean "grinder", and the reference here is to the meat grinder of war.. Read the words of the full Ode and you will see that it refers to the quest and the strife of combat with their arms (swords and arrows) and comfort of the thought of returning safely home to England's pastures green. (in this world or the next).
Nonsense. That's historically inaccurate.
The crusades were launched for a number of reasons, mainly to do with greed, power and finding something to do for a lot of landless young knights who were becoming a problem.
- The Byzantine (eastern Roman) empire wanted help regaining lost lands.
- The Pope saw it as a chance to unite the bickering Christian countries and put the church at their head gaining it more power.
- The Merchant class saw it as an opportunity to gain control of the eastern ports which controlled trade from the Far East.
- In noble families the first son inherited the land, the second went into the church and the third would train to be a knight. Consequently there were a lot of landless young knights, heavily armed and well trained causing trouble.
The crusades were a useful excuse to send the away and give them something useful to do and a chance for them to grab land, wealth, power and reputation. The nobles also used it as a good excuse to get rid of any trouble makers by enlisting them as soliders
Being a different religion was just an excuse the church used to justify all this.
The Islamic rulers of Jerusalem were actually very tolerant of other religions, unlike the Catholic church who persecuted anyone who didn't exactly follow their teachings including other christian sects. Jews and Christians freely lived in Jerusalem and were allowed to practice their religion and worship at the temple.
@@speleokeir You have been watching too many Hollywood films my good friend.
@@ethelmini listen to it again!
Comes over better and powerful when sung by a choir or male singer.
anthem should be I vow to thee my country... much better for an anthem
Good one, but it's based on holst's Jupiter, so it's a bit odd.
As long as they sing the 2nd verse, which completes it.
I count myself as British - mostly English but also large parts Northern Irish, Welsh and way back in the past a bit of Scots. However, l have never liked God Save the King/Queen - a bit of outdated Victorian dirge. There are a few other contenders for an English national anthem - such as Land of Hope and Glory but other than being a better tune than GSTK (and want isn't besides a one note monotone) it is also very outdated and rather dubiously nationalistic. Jerusalem by contrast is timeless, a wonderful tune and - as you rightly pointed out - a wonderful piece of poetry put to music. I heartily wish this was England's national anthem.
As an Englishman I could not agree with you more.
Its not just League that uses Jerusalem as its national anthem. Union have been doing the same for years.
I think the difference in use is when the member countries of the UK play each other like Wales vs England. But not when England play other teams (like against France in the 6 Nations) when the UK National Anthem is played.
Its an outstanding anthem.
And can I gently suggest that while you are free to hope for an independent Wales its not a good look to mock our National Anthem because the vast majority of people in the UK (including Wales) are happy with the Monarchy (76%) and 'God Save the King' as it DOES represent ALL of the peoples of the 4 nations that are the UK.
I remember my mum singing it in the kitchen,when I was a small boy. We lived in Belgium, and had English relatives.
It's the Union Flag
Union Jack is its name when flowen on a ship.
Wrong!!!
Jerusalem is wonderful; however my preference for the English anthem would be 'I vow to thee my Country'
‘I vow to thee…’ is also loved and sung by other countries. ‘Jerusalem’ is closer to home for England
@@megw7312 I would prefer Land of Hope & Glory but Jerusalem is still great
@@Londoneye57 Land of Hope and Glory is, again, British - not English.
Totally agree JoBrady 👍 " I vow to thee my country" is not so blatantly relgious and more relevant to present day UK.🎉❤
either always look on the bright side of life or bring me sunshine
Jerusalem is the national anthem of England. It is beautiful and should be played loud and clear.
I’ve thought this for years. God Save The King just divides our nations. I Vow To Thee My Country is another excellent contender
Indeed....
Our green and plesant land....
Jerusalem 🙏
Blake's poem stems from the ancient British Histories that record Jesus came here and built a Church with Joseph of Arimathea, and the Britons became Christian long before Rome. Some would say Essenic Christian. I believe it was widely taught in schools until the early 20th century, certainly in Wales. Talking of which, Men of Harlech eh? There's a banger for you.
Brings me to tears
It was my school's anthem. So powerful, we all loved it!
I've loved Jerusalem all my life, we used to sing it in assembly at school. It's not just a song it's a hymn, more patriotic than God save the king
Da iawn, Matt. Some of us have more than one heritage, so I am torn on this. I think I have sung 'GSTK' many times, but I do not know the second verse. No no one ever taught me. However I didn't have to 'learn' Jerusalem, the words and music captivated me on first hearing. I learned 'Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau' but the English version and translation are obviously not the same. Jerusalem's lyrics seem to speak for the people of England and what their aspirations are, whereas God save the King or Queen concentrates on the reigning figure head. Diolch yn fawr.
Emerson, Lake and Palmer rendition is even better.
now we are talking, class
Well you are in the United Kingdom, whether you want to be or not.
@@bee3541-y7s ?
@@bee3541-y7s Why would I want to be anywhere else?😁
Yes
God bless Wales Scotland England and Ireland 🇮🇪 and Jerusalem and also you 🙏 ❤ we seem to be losing our heritage
My mother was born in North Wales to a Welsh father and this was her favourite
I’m Manx ( Isle of Man ) 🇮🇲 we have Ellen Vannin as our national anthem
We all so sing the English anthem as well one after the other Manx one first
Love it should be our national anthem As an expat in New Zealand it brings me great pride and joy just to hear those words being❤ sung
There's a Jerusalem in Skellington in South Yorkshire, but I suppose that doesn't scan very well.
"'Till we have built Skellingthorpe in England's green and pleasant land"
I have always thought Jerusalem or Land of hope & glory, either would be better
Laura has a wonderful voice but the rendition of this song at any Last night of the Proms makes the heart soar. Without a doubt shoukd be Englands national anthem.
Land of hope and glory is probably even better.
The so called national anthem is a German song and its about one person and not the country whereas Jerusalem is about the country as a whole and its more rousing.
Not exactly. Technically we don't have a national anthem. God Save is the Monarch's anthem, but only because people started singing it at the time of the 1745 Jacobite rebellion (starting in the Theatre Royal Haymarket) - the tune might have started in France, but no-one's sure. It became popular elsewhere, and the number of countries that have used it is impressive. Several German states adopted it from us - the German anthem during WW1 was Heil dir im Siegerkranz, to the tune of God Save. The current German anthem was the Austrian one, written by Haydn because they didn't want to use a British song.
I prefer this to the actual anthem but your analyses is wrong. Land of hope and glory is the best choice for me.
@@Crantock-l1v he is no king of mine anyway
I think it is about Jesus. Land of Hope and Glory and the current UK anthem invoke a god that atheists like me do not believe in. I Vow to Thee my Country is more fitting and likely generally acceptable to all as it does not include any god in it.
@@John-h7w6c Not until we re-establish the wiccan council.
Jerusalem is the anthem of the woman's Institute, and you don't want to get on the wrong side of them.
Completely agree Matt. Jerusalem has a beautiful tune, and the words can be taken either as religious or metaphorical. A hope for a better future for all our people. Better than any “we’re the best and will beat any foreigners” type songs.
The English National Anthem is beautiful; it starts with the question, Did those feet, referring to the Lord who was said to have walked on the land of Britain
stuck on the American side of the Wardrobe but so love the song Jerusalem
I'd just like to point out that England doesn't actually have an national anthem so 'God Save the King' is the UK's national anthem only. Northern Ireland doesn't have a national anthem either. Both fall back onto the UK's national anthem. Surprising so many people don't actually know this.
I think my old man’s a dustman by Lonnie Donegan should be Englands national anthem, because England is a rubbish dump!
I’m happy with God save the King when it’s for the UK or GB, but when it’s is just England we should have our own anthem, Jerusalem.
GSTK is the National anthem. Agree Jerusalem Englands Anthem.
I’ve always thought that “I vow to thee my country” should be sung in place of the dirge we currently have!
Every English person I’ve ever met including myself thinks God Save the King is uninspiring and dull. However, we are divided over whether it should be Jerusalem or Land of Hope and Glory. The former is hauntingly beautiful and has the added advantage of actually containing the word ‘England’ while the latter is beyond epic. Both songs take patriotism to another level. How about we adopt a kind of medley and start with Jerusalem then segue into Land of Hope and Glory..? No National anthem in the world could beat that combo 😎
Our current national anthem is the most boring one in the world,its so dull compared to some other rousing anthems
Brought tears.
Dear Celtic-Israelite Brother Matt, SHALOM from JERUSALEM, ISRAEL. Your Israelite Judean Brother Lowell
Or Jerusalem, Palestine.
@@hiboo6012 NO reference to "Palestine" in the Qur'an. Homework: My book "Cracking the Qur'an Code: God's LAND, TORAH and PEOPLE Covenants with ISRAEL in the QUR'AN and ISLAMIC TRADITION"
Not going to lie, given what is happening in our cities and towns at the moment, Jerusalem did bring tears to my eyes. I am pondering just what on earth is going to happen because things can go very, very, wrong, very quickly.
The first verse questions the mythical history of England. The second doesn't answer the questions, but says instead that we should fight to make the country worthy of the myth.
It's a radical a vision from William Blake. For Jerusalem to be accepted as England's national anthem, Conservative England needs to change radically.
I like your reasoning and I’ve always loved Jerusalem. I say I’m British because although I was born and raised in England, both my parents were thoroughbred Scots. I’m a royalist so I don’t object to God save the King, but since the death of Queen Elizabeth, things seem very different. I don’t feel as loyal towards King Charles. So I could be persuaded.
Jerusalem is also sung before England cricket matches (and if you didn't know, officially it's England AND Wales cricket), this SHOULD be England's SPORTING anthem
Beautifully sung, it gave me chills too.
I agree, Jerualum or i vow to thee my country, certainly not the present. I signed a petition 25 years ago to have it changed, sadly nothing.
This will probably be the last monarch they are totally irrelevant in this fractured land
I think it’s beautiful .I love it. No different in Canada. We absolutely love the maple leaf forever. I think both of these should the countries anthem. Jerusalem for England ,maple leaf forever should be Canadas . It’s time we got back what is truly beautiful of each of these countries.
An incredible rendition - although I favour a slightly slower version myself because I think it really maximises the impact. I suspect time was a factor in doing it this way.
We used to sing this at school, can’t imagine that happening now lol
It also be remembered the first Christian Crusade ,who went to Israel to fight with the Islam to save Jerusalem.
That has nothing to do with this so no.
God Save the King is more the UK/ Commonwealth Anthem, each country has it's own national anthem as well. I wish they played them all more often. I heard Jerusalem for the first time in the movie Chariots of Fire.
NI does not, of course, have a national anthem, as it is not a 'nation'. The meaning of the original poem has been lost - it is a proto-socialist appeal by Blake, a misunderstood genius.
Had to stand up when she started, took me back to boarding school days. Glory to Christendom
The only reservation I have about this song is it’s religious connotations. The music is sublime.
Land of hope and glory is my ideal England anthem. God save the King/Queen is an uninspiring dirge.
Yeah in England we have a bit of a identify crisis that a someday hopefully soon it will be addressed and totally agree with you that O Jerusalem' should be our national anthem
Jerusalem should be the official English national anthem.
Welshman this definitely should englands anthem what a song
People who think that this is some sort of patriotic English hymn have no idea. William Blake wrote the words as the introduction to his epic poem ‘Milton’. Blake was a supporter of the French Revolution. He was arrested and charged with sedition ( though later released). For him, the “dark Satanic mills” were not just the mills of industrial Britain, but all means of oppression, including the church and the monarchy. The commonly sung version of his poem wrongly sings about “those dark satanic mills” rather than,as Blake wrote, “”these😢 dark satanic mills”. The satanic mills are still with us.
Building Jerusalem in England’s green and pkeasant land is a hope for a utopian future, not a song of praise for England as it currently exists.
Blake must be turning in his grave at how his words have been expropriated.
I always think it’s Narcissistic that the sovereign stands there when people have to sing God save our gracious , noble Queen/king