I was a bit taken aback by this piece of news, Southwark Cathederal is not exactly a Conservative Christian place and is known to be a bit daring. However what exactly is wrong with the hymn? It doesn't say that those feet in ancient times walked upon England's mountains green. It says "And did those feet in ancient time walk upon England’s mountains green?" It is a hymn about trying to live out ones faith within a nation, to try and propagate those values. It's the one hymn which makes me personally feel spiritual and patriotic at the same time.
That said, I appreciate it is open to interpretation and if the Dean, as well as the congregation, have a conscience about it, then fair enough
2 comments:
I am absolutely with you on this. See my own post on the subject:
http://caughtinthemiddleman.wordpress.com/2008/04/11/jerusalem-lost/
Maybe Southwark are right; the most casual reading of Blake's words convey their irony. In fact Blake is almost certainly using even the industrial revolution as a metaphor, with the 'dark satanic mills' being our churches.
Or maybe Southwark are wrong; 'Jerusalem' is a hymn because we chose to make it one. Blake's intended meaning is irrelevant, as we have long since given it another. They don't refuse to acknowledge Christmas just because it's been hijacked from a pagan festival, do they?
I'm in the latter camp; even as a hardened atheist who prefers Blake's intended meaning and who would happily burn the entire bishopric at the stake, a rousing performance of 'Jerusalem' would tempt me into Southwark Cathedral. Great hymn, no argument.
Post a Comment