Jerusalem, Englands new national anthem

Jerusalem could be the new National Anthem for England if a motion goes through the House of commons. It ain't going to happen I hear you cry - just a moment though England are in the Rugby World Cup final - who was brave enough to bet on that two months ago?
Scotland, Northern Ireland and even Wales (who are technically part of England - that's history for you!) have their own National anthems sung at sporting events and so we the English. God Save the Queen is a British Anthem - we want an English one.
Of course this argument is not new - http://anthem4england.co.uk.

The following immortal words were strung together by William Blake (not Blakey off On the Buses).

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 spears o'clouds unfold
Bring me my chariot of fire

I will not cease from mental fight
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
'Til we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land
'Til we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land

Posted by Simon at October 15, 2007 8:03 PM

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