High praise for Jerusalem, our favourite hymn

IN these divided times, it may seem impossible to get everyone singing from the same hymn sheet.

But members of this green and pleasant land have finally reached a decision – with Jerusalem named the nation’s favourite song of worship.

The poem by William Blake, set to music by Sir Hubert Parry in 1916, was revealed as our number one hymn in a Songs of Praise special yesterday hosted by Aled Jones.

The Welsh singer, 48, counted down the country’s ten favourites from De Montfort Hall in Leicester, with How Great Thou Art ranking second and the modern song In Christ Alone coming third in a survey of tens of thousands of Britons.

Jones was joined by guests including Britain’s Got Talent winner and Chelsea Pensioner Colin Thackery, classical singer Russell Watson and Black Panther actress Sope Aluko.

Ranked in fourth place was Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind, which was sung for the programme by Welsh mezzosoprano Katherine Jenkins from St David’s Cathedral in Wales. Abide With Me, which came fifth, was performed by The Kingdom Choir, which sang at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding last May. Singer Daniel O’Donnell performed In Christ Alone from the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland.

Jerusalem did not feature on the list last time the survey was conducted in 2013. This year’s runner-up topped the chart on that occasion.

Yesterday’s BBC special also saw celebrities choosing their favourite hymns, with poet John Cooper Clarke selected How Great Thou Art. ‘True poetry is found in the words of classic hymns,’ he said.