William Blake, Jerusalem (1804)

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The poem "Jerusalem" is part of Blake's preface to his epic Milton: A Poem (1804-1810). It is often quoted by its first line "And did those feet in ancient time" to be distinguished from Blake's other epic, Jerusalem: The Emanation of the Giant Albion. The poem was set to music by Hubert Parry in 1916.

Text

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 & pleasant Land.

Critical Text

Wiliam Blake. "Jerusalem (1804)." Blake's Poetry and Designs. Ed. M. L. Johnson, J. E. Grant. W.W. Norton & Company, 1979. 238.

Further Reading

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