Today is St. George’s day

I will begin today’s festivities with a hymn. It’s Jerusalem by William Blake (what, is that the best you can do? – Ed) and the reason that I chose this to appear in my first post today rather than any other hymn or poem is because it reminds me so much of England and growing up here. It’s been a theme throughout, from my daily assembly when I was at school, to my infrequent visits to various Church of England churches. It’s been sung on the telly and the radio, I’ve read it in books, I’ve sung it at weddings and at funerals. I’ve sung it stone cold sober and when I’ve been three sheets to the wind (usually followed by Bohemian Rhapsody).

If you’ve not heard it you won’t get the full benefit of it just from the words. It is a fantastically well constructed song, with goose bumps mandatory and unavoidable at the end of each verse. Brrrrrr.

A cracking tune for a Great country.

Jerusalem by William Blake (1757-1827)

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountain 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.