And Did Those Feet in Ancient Time

Blake’s short poem from the preface to his epic Milton, asking whether Christ once walked in ancient England, later set to music as the hymn “Jerusalem”.

And did those feet in ancient timeWalk upon England’s mountains green,And was the holy Lamb of GodOn England’s pleasant pastures seen?

And did the Countenance DivineShine forth upon our clouded hills?And was Jerusalem builded hereAmong 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.

Famous lines

• 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?

  In context

  • Patriotism
  • Religion

• And was Jerusalem builded here
  Among these dark Satanic Mills?

  In context

  • Patriotism
  • Religion

• 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.

  In context

  • Motivation & Goals
  • Patriotism