Jerusalem

Last night I lay a-sleeping
There came a dream so fair,
I stood in old Jerusalem
Beside the temple there.
I heard the children singing,
And ever as they sang,
Me thought the voice of angels
From heaven in answer rang.
Me thought the voice of angels
From heaven in answer rang.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Lift up your gates and sing,
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna to your King!


And then me thought my dream was changed,
The streets no longer rang,
Hushed were the glad Hosannas
The little children sang.
The sun grew dark with mystery,
The morn was cold and chill,
As the shadow of a cross arose
Upon a lonely hill.
As the shadow of a cross arose
Upon a lonely hill.


Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Hark! How the angels sing,
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna to your King!


And once again the scene was changed;
New earth there seemed to be;
I saw the Holy City
Beside the tideless sea;
The light of God was on its streets,
The gates were open wide,
And all who would might enter,
And no one was denied.
No need of moon or stars by night,
Or sun to shine by day;
It was the new Jerusalem
That would not pass away.
It was the new Jerusalem
That would not pass away.


Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Sing for the night is o'er!
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna for evermore!
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna for evermore!

My late uncle used to sing this song as one of his personal favourits. He loved singing and sang in the local church choir. I always thought it was an immensly holy song but i guess i didn't really understand it or what Hosanna meant for that matter. In Judaism "Hoshana" (הושענא) is a Hebrew word meaning please save or save now. In Christianity, Hosanna is the cry of praise or adoration shouted in recognition of the Messiahship of Jesus on his entry into Jerusalem. Overall, "Hosanna" is a cry for salvation; while at the same time is a declaration of praise.

I remember my uncle singing this song at my sisters wedding in 1998. It was a non religious wedding (registry office at the time was quite rare) but I remember my new brother-in-law quietly walking out of the room at the time as the wedding songs were becoming all Catholic. I'm not sure exactly if this was an act of silent protest on his part or what as it was his wedding day. Maybe he just needed some air.
I think my uncle just loved belting out a good tune and the power that gave him. I am not sure if religion had anything major to do with it. My brothers and I used to get an uncontrollable laugh out of him singing all the time - even during dinner he would warble  "I am eating my peas".

Last week I was in Jerusalem for the first time. This song and memory of my uncle was going through my head for a good lot of it. If only Hosanna could save Jerusalem now..