Chariot of Fire

Jerusalem

William Blake (poem)
Sir Charles Hubert H. Parry (setting)

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 those 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.


Today is Hubert Parry's birthday (1848-1918).
Click on the link below and listen to Parry's setting of William Blake's poem:

MP3 Selection Expired on 03-01-2006:

Parry and Blake: "Jerusalem"
This piece of music was of the soundtrack in the 1981 Best Picture Oscar, "Chariot of Fire", wherein the Olympian runner and pre-missionary to China, Eric Liddell, was featured.