The Life and Works of William Blake, How the words to ‘Jerusalem’ were nearly lost forever

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The story behind England’s favourite hymn

During William Blake’s life, only two copies of words to what has now become England’s unofficial anthem were printed. Blake scholars Prof. Jason Whittaker and Dr. Linda Freedman explain what happened next.

Photo: A detail from the preface from William Blake’s epic poem Milton

Source: BBC World Service – The Forum, The Life and Works of William Blake, How the words to ‘Jerusalem’ were nearly lost forever

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