Analysis of Blake's Poem Jerusalem

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The people of the United Kingdom have had an interesting an unusual relationship with patriotism for centuries. Being made up of many distinct nations, each with their own culture and some even their own language, there have been many ways in which they have been both united and divided. Ostentatious exhibits of overt patriotism are not as common as in other countries, such as in the United States, but when they do choose to display this, they can be as exciting and full of pomp as any other nation. These moments are often centred around music. The hymn “Jerusalem”, Hubert Parry’s 1916 adaptation of William Blake’s poem “And did those feet in ancient times” is one of the most popular songs for these occasions. Scotland and Wales have long had their own national anthems, and although “God Save the Queen” in the unofficial national Anthem of the UK, England has officially not had its own separate anthem. “Jerusalem” has come to represent this role in many sporting events where England, and not the UK, is competing. It is sung before cricket and rugby matches and at the Commonwealth Games where Team England competes, separately from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Although almost every person in England knows the lyrics to this hymn and thus to Blake’s poem, what does it actually mean to them and how is this different to what Blake was trying to say? The English are not a particularly religious people. Many do still go to church but many of these people still do so out of a sort of tradition rather than out of true belief. Why then has this hymn gained such an exalted role in English society? I know that when I was growing up I always loved singing it. Parry’s tune is fantastic to sing although I must admit I would often replace “Scotland” for “England”. Being part of a large crowd, whether in church or watching the Last Night of the Proms, singing Jerusalem

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