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 ) , and `` Jerusalem '' is considered to be England 's most popular patriotic song ; The New York Times said it was `` Fast becoming an alternative national anthem , '' and there have even been calls to give it official status .
When King George V heard it for the first time he said that he preferred `` Jerusalem '' to `` God Save the King '' , the National Anthem .