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The evolution of great literature into popular culture is vividly seen in the films The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner (1962) and Chariots of Fire (1981) through their use of William Blake's lyric "And did those feet," commonly known as "Jerusalem." Written and etched about 1804-1808, the poem is the conclusion to the "Preface" of Blake's prophetic book Milton. Arguing with Milton, Blake urges the English to free themselves from "either Greek or Roman models" that had "curb'd" Shakespeare and Milton, and he urges them instead to turn to their own inspiration and prophecy. He asks that the "Young Men of the New Age" be "just and true" to their "own Imaginations." Blake then introduces the poem:
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 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 & pleasant Land.
By the 1880s the poem had become the motto of the Guild of St. Matthew's weekly paper. Set to music by Sir Hubert Parry in 1916, the combination of words and music became an anthem first for the men in World War I and after the war for the British Labour Party. By 1923 the words and music were published as a hymn for English congregations. More recently it has been brought before larger and more international audiences as the thematic background music for two highly successful British films: Loneliness, adapted by Alan Sillitoe from his short story by the same name and directed by Tony Richardson; and Chariots, written by Colin Weiland, directed by Hugh Hudson, and produced by David Puttman.
Over the years the lyric has been transformed from an individualized, prophetic injunction to an anthem of popular culture. Each succeeding use of the lyric demonstrates the leveling of Blake's ironic statement into superficial messages that ignore some of...