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Chimney Sweepers

William Blake's 'Chimney Sweeper' from 'Songs of Innocence' depicts a young boy sold into chimney sweeping after his mother's death, finding solace in dreams of freedom and joy. In contrast, 'Songs of Experience' presents a darker view, where the child laments the neglect of his parents who prioritize religion over his suffering. The poems highlight the innocence of childhood against the harsh realities of societal neglect and the false comfort of religious piety.

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M. Ryan
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45 views1 page

Chimney Sweepers

William Blake's 'Chimney Sweeper' from 'Songs of Innocence' depicts a young boy sold into chimney sweeping after his mother's death, finding solace in dreams of freedom and joy. In contrast, 'Songs of Experience' presents a darker view, where the child laments the neglect of his parents who prioritize religion over his suffering. The poems highlight the innocence of childhood against the harsh realities of societal neglect and the false comfort of religious piety.

Uploaded by

M. Ryan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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"Chimney Sweeper" — William Blake

(from Songs of Innocence)

When my mother died I was very young,


And my father sold me while yet my tongue
Could scarcely cry " 'weep! 'weep! 'weep! 'weep!"
So your chimneys I sweep, and in soot I sleep.

There's little Tom Dacre, who cried when his head, 5


That curl'd like a lamb's back, was shav'd, so I said
"Hush, Tom! never mind it, for when your head's bare
You know that the soot cannot spoil your white hair."

And so he was quiet, and that very night


As Tom was a-sleeping, he had such a sight! 10
That thousands of sweepers, Dick, Joe, Ned, and Jack,
Were all of them lock'd up in coffins of black.

And by came an Angel who had a bright key,


And he open'd the coffins and set them all free;
Then down a green plain leaping, laughing, they run, 15
And wash in a river, and shine in the sun.

Then naked and white, all their bags left behind,


They rise upon clouds and sport in the wind;
And the Angel told Tom, if he'd be a good boy,
He'd have God for his father, and never want joy. 20

And so Tom awoke, and we rose in the dark,


And got with our bags and our brushes to work.
Though the morning was cold, Tom was happy and warm;
So if all do their duty they need not fear harm.

"Chimney Sweeper" — William Blake


(from Songs of Experience)

A little black thing among the snow,


Crying " 'weep! 'weep!" in notes of woe!
"Where are thy father and mother? say?"
"They are both gone up to the church to pray.

Because I was happy upon the heath, 5


And smil'd among the winter's snow,
They clothed me in the clothes of death,
And taught me to sing the notes of woe.

And because I am happy and dance and sing,


They think they have done me no injury, 10
And are gone to praise God and his Priest and King,
Who make up a heaven of our misery."

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