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And Did Those Feet In Ancient Time by William Blake   
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William Blake
William Blake (1757 - 1827 / London / England)
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William Blake and his works have been extensively discussed and criticised over the twentieth and now this century, however previous to that he was ba .. more >>
186 poems of William Blake
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And Did Those Feet In Ancient Time

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9.2 /10
(34 votes)



  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 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 England's green and pleasant land.

William Blake


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  Comments about this poem (And Did Those Feet In Ancient Time by William Blake )
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  A. Jokerman  (3/30/2009 8:13:00 AM)

I'd agree with Gillian for the most part, but would say that everything in the poem has a metaphorical sense, as well as possibly a litteral one. Blake used physical location to represent spiritual quality or aspect in a large amount of his work. Therefore the English hills are the English people, or people, and the mills represent not only mills, but the mental form of control, system, and renunciation of humanity. The lamb represents Christ, or the active principle necessary to constructing Jerusalem, of the Holy City. The poem ends with Blake's decleration of war, and his will to bring back the Christ, so that the Holy city can be rebuilt in England: Very cool.
  Matt Blanc  (3/12/2009 12:04:00 AM)

you shouldnt be so quick to judge Hudson. Since the poem was written in 1804 and that is the 19th century it looks like Gillian was right huh?
and actually everything else Gillian, siad seems very right too me
youre just IGNANT
  Fredrick Hudson  (2/23/2009 12:42:00 AM)

well Gillian its obvious you have no idea what your talking about considering William Blake did not write this in the 19th century so dont try and act so smart. David I agree with you it is about how everyone dances to the same tune and that Jesus's presence should be everywhere no matter how far away it was from where he lived.
  Gillian.E. Shaw  (3/12/2005 10:51:00 AM)

This poem was written about the Industrial Revolution that took place duing the early 19th century.
The first verse asks did Christ visit Britain. This may be metaphorical or literal. There is an old English legend that Christ came to Britain as a boy.
The poet questions christianity in Britain (2nd verse) and illustrates the point by using the adjective 'satanic' when describing the industrial mills. (In the North of Britain at this time many people; men, women and children, worked in the cotton industry.) This clearly gives the impression that the poet thinks the mills are evil places.
In the final two verses he poet summons up his faith and reveals he will not rest until there is justice in society.
This is a beautifully written poem and is sometimes used as a national anthem.
  David Gerardino  (11/13/2004 1:43:00 PM)

every one, any where, dances to the same song.

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