The Holy City (song)
Encyclopedia
The Holy City is a semi-religious Victorian ballad dating from 1892, with music by Michael Maybrick
writing under the alias Stephen Adams, with lyrics by Frederic Weatherly.
religious doctrine, as against the Christian Last Judgment
. Both men were prominent freemasons. The universalist message might also simply reflect the desire for a 'happy ending' in a piece of popular music.
The song's refrain 'Jerusalem! Jerusalem!' and the title 'The Holy City' may have been a reference to the crusaders cry upon reaching Jerusalem. In addition to possible masonic allusions, the song refers to the cross
, and makes other Christian allusions.
The song is recorded in the African Methodist Episcopal Church
Review in 1911 as having been sung by an opera singer awaiting trial for fraud in his cell while a group of men arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct were before the judge. The men were said to have dropped to the knees as the song began 'Last night I lay a-sleeping, There came a dream so fair.', the lyrics contrasting with their previous night's drunkenness. The song's conclusion resulted in the judge dismissing the men without punishment, each having learned a lesson from the song.
The song is mentioned in James Joyce
's Ulysses
, published 1918-1920.
The song gained renewed popularity when it was sung by Jeanette MacDonald
in the 1936 hit film San Francisco
.
The melody formed the basis of a Spiritual
titled Hosanna, which in turn was the basis for the opening of Duke Ellington
's Black and Tan Fantasy
.
The song has been performed by Mahalia Jackson
and numerous other performers.
Michael Maybrick
Michael Maybrick was an English composer and singer, best known under his pseudonym Stephen Adams as the composer of "The Holy City," one of the most popular religious songs in English.-Early life:...
writing under the alias Stephen Adams, with lyrics by Frederic Weatherly.
Context
As a semi-religious ballad the song was commercial in the first instance, rather than religious, marketed towards the Victorian market for religious sentiment, rather than an expression of any great Christian piety - the song's authors were not hymnists, but writers of popular music. The lyrics 'The light of God was on its streets, The gates were open wide, And all who would might enter, And no none was denied.' is suggested to be a reference to MasonicFreemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
religious doctrine, as against the Christian Last Judgment
Last Judgment
The Last Judgment, Final Judgment, Day of Judgment, Judgment Day, or The Day of the Lord in Christian theology, is the final and eternal judgment by God of every nation. The concept is found in all the Canonical gospels, particularly the Gospel of Matthew. It will purportedly take place after the...
. Both men were prominent freemasons. The universalist message might also simply reflect the desire for a 'happy ending' in a piece of popular music.
The song's refrain 'Jerusalem! Jerusalem!' and the title 'The Holy City' may have been a reference to the crusaders cry upon reaching Jerusalem. In addition to possible masonic allusions, the song refers to the cross
Christian cross
The Christian cross, seen as a representation of the instrument of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, is the best-known religious symbol of Christianity...
, and makes other Christian allusions.
The song is recorded in the African Methodist Episcopal Church
African Methodist Episcopal Church
The African Methodist Episcopal Church, usually called the A.M.E. Church, is a predominantly African American Methodist denomination based in the United States. It was founded by the Rev. Richard Allen in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1816 from several black Methodist congregations in the...
Review in 1911 as having been sung by an opera singer awaiting trial for fraud in his cell while a group of men arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct were before the judge. The men were said to have dropped to the knees as the song began 'Last night I lay a-sleeping, There came a dream so fair.', the lyrics contrasting with their previous night's drunkenness. The song's conclusion resulted in the judge dismissing the men without punishment, each having learned a lesson from the song.
The song is mentioned in James Joyce
James Joyce
James Augustine Aloysius Joyce was an Irish novelist and poet, considered to be one of the most influential writers in the modernist avant-garde of the early 20th century...
's Ulysses
Ulysses (novel)
Ulysses is a novel by the Irish author James Joyce. It was first serialised in parts in the American journal The Little Review from March 1918 to December 1920, and then published in its entirety by Sylvia Beach on 2 February 1922, in Paris. One of the most important works of Modernist literature,...
, published 1918-1920.
The song gained renewed popularity when it was sung by Jeanette MacDonald
Jeanette MacDonald
Jeanette MacDonald was an American singer and actress best remembered for her musical films of the 1930s with Maurice Chevalier and Nelson Eddy...
in the 1936 hit film San Francisco
San Francisco (film)
San Francisco is a 1936 musical-drama directed by Woody Van Dyke, based on the April 18, 1906 San Francisco earthquake. The film, which was the top grossing movie of that year, stars Clark Gable, Jeanette MacDonald, and Spencer Tracy. The then very popular singing of MacDonald helped make this film...
.
The melody formed the basis of a Spiritual
Spiritual (music)
Spirituals are religious songs which were created by enslaved African people in America.-Terminology and origin:...
titled Hosanna, which in turn was the basis for the opening of Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
's Black and Tan Fantasy
Black and Tan Fantasy
Black and Tan is a musical short film written by Dudley Murphy that exhibits the ideas and thoughts of The Harlem Renaissance Movement. Duke Ellington's musical talents along with Fredi Washington's extraordinary acting potential make this movie a good example of the emergence of artistic culture...
.
The song has been performed by Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia Jackson
Mahalia Jackson – January 27, 1972) was an African-American gospel singer. Possessing a powerful contralto voice, she was referred to as "The Queen of Gospel"...
and numerous other performers.