A minimum of analysis of the song
"Jerusalem" by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, trying to go beyond the
normal reading and offering a more critical and complete perspective.
Jerusalem by ELP: A Progressive Rock Anthem
The version of "Jerusalem" proposed by Emerson, Lake & Palmer on their album "Brain Salad Surgery" is much more than just a cover. It is a bold and innovative reworking of an English national anthem, which becomes a manifesto of progressive rock and a profound exploration of the themes of spirituality, national identity and inner conflict.
The text, taken from the poem by William Blake, evokes powerful and evocative images, such as those of Jesus walking in the English mountains and the heavenly Jerusalem built between "dark satanic mills". This contrast between the sacred and the profane, between nature and industrialization, is a recurring theme in Blake's poetry and is amplified by ELP's music.
The hymn speaks of a mythical and spiritual land, a place where the divine has manifested itself. This idealized view of England has often been used for political and nationalistic purposes, but ELP seems to offer a more complex and ambiguous reading.
The presence of "dark satanic mills" suggests an inner conflict between spirituality and materiality, between the ideal and reality.
ELP's music transforms the anthem into a powerful sensory experience. The main features of this version are:
-Emerson's Hammond organ, capable of creating a solemn atmosphere, while Palmer's drums provide an engaging rhythm. Lake's powerful and emotional voice conveys the depth of the lyrics.
-The use of the moog and in particular the Apollo, the first polyphonic synthesizer, which at the time was a prototype.
The music develops in a non-linear way, with improvisations and variations that keep the listener tense.
ELP's version caused a lot of controversy upon its release. Some have considered it a heresy, an outrage to a sacred hymn. Others, however, welcomed it as a masterpiece, a work of art that expanded the boundaries of rock music.
But despite the passage of time, ELP's "Jerusalem" is a song that continues to arouse debates and discussions. It is an example of how progressive rock can be used to explore deep and complex themes, and to create works of art that transcend musical genres.
All that remains is to listen to it with the help of the
lyrics...
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 and pleasant Land.
