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British English Pronunciation.
*Copyright © 2016 AJ. All Rights Reserved.
*This video and audio material may not be used in any form without written permission.
Andrew Johnson. London, UK
Learn British English Pronunciation with Poetry. Jerusalem.
"And did those feet in ancient time" is a short poem by William Blake. Today it is best known as the hymn "Jerusalem". This poem was written about the Industrial Revolution that took place during 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.
-- To improve your pronunciation, repeat this poem as often as you want to.
*Copyright © 2016 AJ. All Rights Reserved.
*This video and audio material may not be used in any form without written permission.
© Andrew Johnson - 2017. All rights reserved. Reproduction or republication of all or part of this video/audio is prohibited.