’Jerusalem’ by William Blake in Old Engish | The Skaldic Bard

Here is my translation into Old English and my performance of William Blake’s poem “And Did Those Feet In Ancient Time”, better known as “Jerusalem”. The melody is my adaptation of Sir Hubert Parry’s 1916 arrangement. It’s one of the best known patriotic English songs to this day. The lyrics feel somewhat timeless (apart from the “Satanic mills” part - that’s a product of Blake’s time, as many people stood in opposition to the growing industrialisation of England), so I thought it’d be appropriate to translate into Old English. The modern English subtitles you see are my translation of the Old English (it’s a bit different to the original because I kept the rhyming scheme in Old English, which required changing a few things here and there). The original poem is below: And did those feet in ancient time, Walk upon England’s mountains green: And was the holy Lamb of God, On Englands pleasant pastures seen! And did the Countenance Divine, Shine forth upon our clouded hills? And was Jerusalem builded here, Among 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 Englands green & pleasant Land. Follow me on Spotify (The Skaldic Bard): If you’d like to support my work, you can do so here: Thank you for your kindness. Please do not redistribute my work without permission. Feel free to email me with any inquiries! Old English lyrics: And ēodon ġeāra þā fēt on Englalandes beorgum grēnum? And wæs Godes Hāliġa Lamb ġesewen on his mǣdwum wēnum? And sċān sēo godcunde ansȳn on ūre mōras mistiġan? And wæs Hierusalem bylded hēr ymb Dēofles mylnas dȳstiġan? Bring mē mīn goldbogan bryniġan! Bring mē mīne flānas ġeornan! Bring mē mīn gār: Wolcnu, fealdaþ onġēan! Bring mē mīn crætwǣn fȳrnan! Ne sċeal iċ hyġefeohtes wandian, ne ēac mīn sweord ne slǣpan on handa, oþ þæt wē Hierusalem byldaþ on grēnum mǣdwum Engla landa.