I was inspired, almost compelled, to write this song on a visit to my homeland this summer (2024). The first verse came to me instantly a couple of summers prior, but this full length version pretty much self-assembled one fine day in June as I walked across the local heath in the run-up to the UK General Election. See my note further below about an alternative final verse, which I’m now favouring for its greater inclusivity.
[Please excuse my imperfect vocals – singing is not my strongest point!]
O England
O England… the fairest of all
O England… stand ten feet tall
O England… a thousand years free
O England… arise here with me
O England… you’ve sure made your mark
O England… the light and the dark
O but England… pray what now will be
Your future, your next history?
O England… there’s something awry
O England… forgot how to fly
O England… how will you respond?
Or will you just dwell in your pond?
O England… you fell for the pat
But England… that need not be that
Yes England… you’ve slipped down the league
But England… find steel in your grief
O England… the world it has changed
O England… the deck’s re-arranged
O England… so desperate the need
But England… d’y’ave the stomach to lead?
O England… most pleasant and green
Let’s singland the Jerusalem dream
O bringland your staff straight and true
And England… I’ll bide here with you
And England… I’ll bide here with you
Last Verse Alternative [added 20 November 2024]
O England… most pleasant and green
Let’s singland t’give life to the dream
O bringland your staff straight and true
And England… I’ll rise here with you
And England… I’ll rise here with you
Note to alternative last verse:
I have reflected on the wording of the last verse and have decided an alternative version is better. Whilst I like the original wording because it works for me, I am conscious that it may not speak to all of England, as a modern nation. In particular the direct reference to the English hymn ‘Jerusalem’ may not be understood or could be misconstrued, while the slightly fainter reference to the hymn ‘Abide With Me’ could upset some people north of the border as that hymn was written by a Scot!
For those who are not familiar with the hymn ‘Jerusalem’, it is very much rooted in England’s quintessential history. Heavily anthemic, always sung with enthusiasm and pride, often preserved for big occasions, it was originally written as a poem by William Blake in 1804, but later put to uplifting music by Charles Parry during World War One. Jerusalem the city has long been used as a metaphor for Heaven on Earth, and this is the context in which Blake uses it. Unlike most hymns, ‘Jerusalem’ is not a prayer to God, but instead imagines an England as a place of heavenly beauty and perfection and Blake exhorts the reader to join him in making it real.
Not unlike the emotions I am trying to invoke with ‘O England’!
Anyway, I think the more universal wording in the alternative version makes the song more all-embracing and is preferable.
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