Jerusalem & British Israelism
I was suprised by the notion of Anglo / British Israelism. I hadn't heard of it before this class. Though I am most used to the presentation of Jesus as a pasty white dude. I was discussing it with my room mate and he brought to my attention a song called "Jerusalem"
here are 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 these 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.
I have two mp3s of the song, and if anyone wants me to I could send them to you. lena.marvin@gmail.com
Also, technical question, this post is reposted from the forum because it's formating was ugly there.
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This reminds me of the apocolyptic Johnny Cash Song "When the Man Comes Around." I think we talked about this song in class during one of the first weeks but here are the lyrics:
And I heard, as it were, the noise of thunder: One of the four beasts saying: "Come and see." And I saw. And behold, a white horse.
There's a man goin' 'round takin' names. An' he decides who to free and who to blame. Everybody won't be treated all the same. There'll be a golden ladder reaching down. When the man comes around.
The hairs on your arm will stand up. At the terror in each sip and in each sup. For you partake of that last offered cup, Or disappear into the potter's ground. When the man comes around.
Hear the trumpets, hear the pipers. One hundred million angels singin'. Multitudes are marching to the big kettle drum. Voices callin', voices cryin'. Some are born an' some are dyin'. It's Alpha's and Omega's Kingdom come.
And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree. The virgins are all trimming their wicks. The whirlwind is in the thorn tree. It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Till Armageddon, no Shalam, no Shalom. Then the father hen will call his chickens home. The wise men will bow down before the throne. And at his feet they'll cast their golden crown. When the man comes around.
Whoever is unjust, let him be unjust still. Whoever is righteous, let him be righteous still. Whoever is filthy, let him be filthy still. Listen to the words long written down, When the man comes around.
Hear the trumpets, hear the pipers. One hundred million angels singin'. Multitudes are marchin' to the big kettle drum. Voices callin', voices cryin'. Some are born an' some are dyin'. It's Alpha's and Omega's Kingdom come.
And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree. The virgins are all trimming their wicks. The whirlwind is in the thorn tree. It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
In measured hundredweight and penny pound. When the man comes around.
And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts, And I looked and behold: a pale horse. And his name, that sat on him, was Death. And Hell followed with him.
well I'm quite sorry that the religion of British Israelism does not focus on ultimate truths, the question of suffering, orthe nature of man, but is rather infatuated with justifying racial supremecy. further, its logic and bases are unconvincing. one really has to do some awkward backflips in order to expain its validity. and anyhow, now that we have DNA testing we know that semitic people in general and jews in particular are genetically much different from germanic people in general and anglo-saxons in particular.
I personally think British Israelism is an attempt for imperial britain to reconcile its morally and intellectually arrogant view of itself with its rather embarassing history as a whole.