I’m currently putting together a ‘Songs of Praise’ programme. In the light of this, I asked a friend what would be their hymn choice. His response was ‘And did those feet….’. This got me thinking. Is ‘Jerusalem’ a hymn? It’s a very rousing song – some would say it’s England’s second national anthem. Depending on which poll you look at, it’s the nation’s 6th or 7th favourite hymn. Its use at sporting events and at Women’s Institute meetings has made it very popular. But is it a hymn?
The definition of a hymn is “a type of song, usually religious and devotional, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or to a prominent figure or personification”.
“And did those feet in ancient time” is a poem by William Blake from the preface to his epic ‘Milton: A Poem in two Books’ in 1804, with music written by Sir Hubert Parry in 1916, and orchestrated later by Sir Edward Elgar. So it wasn’t specifically written as a religious or devotional song.
There also seems some controversy over its subject matter. Allegedly based on the legend that Jesus as a child visited England with his maybe uncle Joseph of Arimathea, it refers to the building of a new Jerusalem, possibly the City of God or Heaven – maybe why it is often chosen for funerals. The line about ‘dark Satanic mills’ has often thought to be a reference to the polluting factories of the industrial revolution, perhaps referring specifically to the controversial Albion Mills near William Blake’s home but other commentators have suggested the reference is to orthodox churches at the time – indeed any forms of worship, education or anything that attempted to mould the mind in received opinion! So its material is hardly adoring or prayerful and it’s not clear who its questions are addressed too.
The last verse, including weapon imagery and a call to action is very poignant considering the time it was set to music during the First World War. Understandably reflecting the atmosphere of the time, would have secured its popularity then but might be condemned for inciting violence today.
Musically, a hymn has a certain rhythm and structure. ‘Jerusalem’ certainly has a repetitive metre and solid resounding tune which gives it a certain authority and kudos at national events. However, I looked in four popular hymn books and it wasn’t there.
For me, a hymn needs to say something about my relationship with God -either speaking to Him, or Him speaking to me, praise or prayer. Also, as part of corporate worship, it brings us together – validating our experiences and encouraging each other on our journey.
‘Jerusalem’ is very popular, but is it a hymn?