In adapting Blake’s poem as an anthem, Parry deployed a two-stanza format, each taking up eight lines of Blake’s original poem. He also provided a four-bar musical introduction and coda, echoing melodic motifs of the song. And the word "those" was substituted for "these" (before "dark satanic mills".) The score was conducted by Parry’s student Walford Davies; Parry afterward released it to him, saying "There you are, my boy, do what you like with it." Davies had it published by Curwen and began teaching the tune. Originally Parry intended the first verse to be sung by a solo female voice, but this is rare in contemporary performances. The most famous version was orchestrated by Sir Edward Elgar in 1922 for a large orchestra at the Leeds Festival. Upon hearing the orchestral version for the first time, King George V said that he preferred "Jerusalem" over "God Save the King", the National Anthem.

Jerusalem is considered to be England’s most popular patriotic song; The New York Times said it was "Fast becoming an alternative national anthem,"[26] and there have even been calls to give it official status.[27] England has no official anthem and so uses the British National Anthem "God Save the Queen", also an unofficial anthem, for some national occasions, such as before English international football matches. However, some sports, including rugby league use "Jerusalem" as the English anthem. Jerusalem is the ECB’s official hymn,[28] although God Save the Queen was the anthem sung before England’s games in 2010 ICC World Twenty20 and 2010�"11 Ashes series. Questions in Parliament have not clarified the situation, as answers from the relevant minister say that since there is no official national anthem, each sport must make its own decision.