Charles Hubert Hastings Parry

Jerusalem

For those who know Jerusalem, the song needs no description. For those who do not, the work is the creation of composer Hubert Parry in the last years of his life when he was established as a well-respected composer, conductor, and educator. He was asked to create a song for a patriotic meeting, using Blake's words, in 1916 during the dark days of the First World War. The work gained an immediate popularity which it has never lost. Theinspiring messageand words of Jerusalem have brought it close to the hearts of the English and British -- who sing it in school and at church, before rugby matches and Olympics, in the Women's Institute, before Labour PartyConferences and onalmost endless occasions. The song is a simple two-verse strophic piece with a short introduction and intercession between the verses, which are always played. This version for three Voices may be sung SA only, or TB only, or SATBwith Tenor doubling the Sopranos.