Contents:
SONGSOFINNOCENCE
IntroductionTheShepherdTheEchoingGreenTheLambTheLittleBlackBoyTheBlossomTheChimney—SweeperTheLittleBoyLostTheLittleBoyPoundLaughingSongACradleSongTheDivineImageHolyThursdayNightSpringNurse’sSongInfantJoyADreamOnAnother’sSorrowSONGSOFEXPERIENCE
IntroductionEarth’sAnswerTheClodandthePebbleHolyThursdayTheLittleGirlLostTheLittleGirlFoundTheChimney—SweeperNurse’sSongTheSickRoseTheFlyTheAngelTheTigerMyPrettyRose—TreeAh，SunflowerTheLilyTheGardenofLoveTheLittleVagabondLondonTheHumanAbstractInfantSorrowAPoisonTreeALittleBoyLostALittleGirlLostADivineImageACradleSongTheSchoolboyToTirzahTheVoiceoftheAncientBardSONGSOFINNOCENCE
Pipingdownthevalleyswild，Pipingsongsofpleasantglee，OnacloudIsawachild，Andhelaughingsaidtome:
’PipeasongaboutaLamb！’
SoIpipedwithmerrycheer。
’Piper，pipethatsongagain。’
SoIpiped:hewepttohear。
’Dropthypipe，thyhappypipe;
Singthysongsofhappycheer！’
SoIsungthesameagain，Whileheweptwithjoytohear。
’Piper，sittheedownandwriteInabook，thatallmayread。’
Sohevanishedfrommysight;
AndIpluckedahollowreed，AndImadearuralpen，AndIstainedthewaterclear，AndIwrotemyhappysongsEverychildmayjoytohear。
THESHEPHERD
Howsweetistheshepherd’ssweetlot！
Fromthemorntotheeveninghestrays;
Heshallfollowhissheepalltheday，Andhistongueshallbefilledwithpraise。
Forhehearsthelambs’innocentcall，Andhehearstheewes’tenderreply;
Heiswatchfulwhiletheyareinpeace，Fortheyknowwhentheirshepherdisnigh。
THEECHOINGGREEN
Thesundoesarise，Andmakehappytheskies;
ThemerrybellsringTowelcometheSpring;
Theskylarkandthrush，Thebirdsofthebush，SinglouderaroundTothebells’cheerfulsound;
WhileoursportsshallbeseenOntheechoinggreen。
OldJohn，withwhitehair，Doeslaughawaycare，Sittingundertheoak，Amongtheoldfolk。
Theylaughatourplay，Andsoontheyallsay，’Such，suchwerethejoysWhenweall——girlsandboys—
Inouryouth—timewereseenOntheechoinggreen。’
Tillthelittleones，weary，Nomorecanbemerry:
Thesundoesdescend，Andoursportshaveanend。
RoundthelapsoftheirmothersManysistersandbrothers，Likebirdsintheirnest，Arereadyforrest，AndsportnomoreseenOnthedarkeninggreen。
THELAMB
Littlelamb，whomadethee？
Doesthouknowwhomadethee，Gavetheelife，andbidtheefeedBythestreamando’erthemead;
Gavetheeclothingofdelight，Softestclothing，woolly，bright;
Gavetheesuchatendervoice，Makingallthevalesrejoice？
Littlelamb，whomadethee？
Doesthouknowwhomadethee？
Littlelamb，I’lltellthee;
Littlelamb，I’lltellthee:
Heiscalledbythyname，ForHecallsHimselfaLamb。
Heismeek，andHeismild，Hebecamealittlechild。
Iachild，andthoualamb，WearecalledbyHisname。
Littlelamb，Godblessthee！
Littlelamb，Godblessthee！
THELITTLEBLACKBOY
Mymotherboremeinthesouthernwild，AndIamblack，butOmysouliswhite！
WhiteasanangelistheEnglishchild，ButIamblack，asifbereavedoflight。
Mymothertaughtmeunderneathatree，And，sittingdownbeforetheheatofday，Shetookmeonherlapandkissedme，And，pointingtotheEast，begantosay:
’Lookontherisingsun:thereGoddoeslive，AndgivesHislight，andgivesHisheataway，AndflowersandtreesandbeastsandmenreceiveComfortinmorning，joyinthenoonday。
’Andweareputonearthalittlespace，Thatwemaylearntobearthebeamsoflove;
AndtheseblackbodiesandthissunburntfaceArebutacloud，andlikeashadygrove。
’For，whenoursoulshavelearnedtheheattobear，Thecloudwillvanish，weshallhearHisvoice，Saying，\"Comeoutfromthegrove，myloveandcare，Androundmygoldententlikelambsrejoice。\"’
Thusdidmymothersay，andkissedme，AndthusIsaytolittleEnglishboy。
WhenIfromblack，andhefromwhitecloudfree，AndroundthetentofGodlikelambswejoy，I’llshadehimfromtheheattillhecanbearToleaninjoyuponourFather’sknee;
AndthenI’llstandandstrokehissilverhair，Andbelikehim，andhewillthenloveme。
THEBLOSSOM
Merry，merrysparrow！
UnderleavessogreenAhappyblossomSeesyou，swiftasarrow，Seekyourcradlenarrow，Nearmybosom。
Pretty，prettyrobin！
UnderleavessogreenAhappyblossomHearsyousobbing，sobbing，Pretty，prettyrobin，Nearmybosom。
THECHIMNEY—SWEEPER
WhenmymotherdiedIwasveryyoung，AndmyfathersoldmewhileyetmytongueCouldscarcelycry’Weep！weep！weep！weep！’
SoyourchimneysIsweep，andinsootIsleep。
There’slittleTomDacre，whocriedwhenhishead，Thatcurledlikealamb’sback，wasshaved;soIsaid，’Hush，Tom！nevermindit，for，whenyourhead’sbare，Youknowthatthesootcannotspoilyourwhitehair。’
Andsohewasquiet，andthatverynight，AsTomwasa—sleeping，hehadsuchasight！—
Thatthousandsofsweepers，Dick，Joe，Ned，andJack，Wereallofthemlockedupincoffinsofblack。
Andbycameanangel，whohadabrightkey，Andheopenedthecoffins，andsetthemallfree;
Thendownagreenplain，leaping，laughing，theyrunAndwashinariver，andshineinthesun。
Thennakedandwhite，alltheirbagsleftbehind，Theyriseuponclouds，andsportinthewind:
AndtheangeltoldTom，ifhe’dbeagoodboy，He’dhaveGodforhisfather，andneverwantjoy。
AndsoTomawoke，andweroseinthedark，Andgotwithourbagsandourbrushestowork。
Thoughthemorningwascold，Tomwashappyandwarm:
So，ifalldotheirduty，theyneednotfearharm。
THELITTLEBOYLOST
’Father，father，whereareyougoing？
Odonotwalksofast！
Speak，father，speaktoyourlittleboy，OrelseIshallbelost。’
Thenightwasdark，nofatherwasthere，Thechildwaswetwithdew;
Themirewasdeep，andthechilddidweep，Andawaythevapourflew。
THELITTLEBOYFOUND
Thelittleboylostinthelonelyfen，Ledbythewanderinglight，Begantocry，butGod，evernigh，Appearedlikehisfather，inwhite。
Hekissedthechild，andbythehandled，Andtohismotherbrought，Whoinsorrowpale，throughthelonelydale，Herlittleboyweepingsought。
LAUGHINGSONG
Whenthegreenwoodslaughwiththevoiceofjoy，Andthedimplingstreamrunslaughingby;
Whentheairdoeslaughwithourmerrywit，Andthegreenhilllaughswiththenoiseofit;
Whenthemeadowslaughwithlivelygreen，Andthegrasshopperlaughsinthemerryscene;
WhenMaryandSusanandEmilyWiththeirsweetroundmouthssing’Hahahe！’
Whenthepaintedbirdslaughintheshade，Whereourtablewithcherriesandnutsisspread:
Comelive，andbemerry，andjoinwithme，Tosingthesweetchorusof’Hahahe！’
ACRADLESONG
Sweetdreams，formashadeO’ermylovelyinfant’shead！
SweetdreamsofpleasantstreamsByhappy，silent，moonybeams！
SweetSleep，withsoftdownWeavethybrowsaninfantcrown！
SweetSleep，angelmild，Hovero’ermyhappychild！
Sweetsmiles，inthenightHoverovermydelight！
Sweetsmiles，mother’ssmiles，Allthelivelongnightbeguiles。
Sweetmoans，dovelikesighs，Chasenotslumberfromthyeyes！
Sweetmoans，sweetersmiles，Allthedovelikemoansbeguiles。
Sleep，sleep，happychild！
Allcreationsleptandsmiled。
Sleep，sleep，happysleep，Whileo’ertheethymotherweep。
Sweetbabe，inthyfaceHolyimageIcantrace;
Sweetbabe，onceliketheeThyMakerlay，andweptforme:
Weptforme，forthee，forall，WhenHewasaninfantsmall。
ThouHisimageeversee，Heavenlyfacethatsmilesonthee！
Smilesonthee，onme，onall，Whobecameaninfantsmall;
InfantsmilesareHisownsmiles;
Heavenandearthtopeacebeguiles。
THEDIVINEIMAGE
ToMercy，Pity，Peace，andLove，Allprayintheirdistress，AndtothesevirtuesofdelightReturntheirthankfulness。
ForMercy，Pity，Peace，andLove，IsGodourFatherdear;
AndMercy，Pity，Peace，andLove，Isman，Hischildandcare。
ForMercyhasahumanheart;
Pity，ahumanface;
AndLove，thehumanformdivine:
AndPeacethehumandress。
Theneveryman，ofeveryclime，Thatpraysinhisdistress，Praystothehumanformdivine:
Love，Mercy，Pity，Peace。
Andallmustlovethehumanform，Inheathen，Turk，orJew。
WhereMercy，Love，andPitydwell，ThereGodisdwellingtoo。
HOLYTHURSDAY
’TwasonaholyThursday，theirinnocentfacesclean，Thechildrenwalkingtwoandtwo，inred，andblue，andgreen:
Grey—headedbeadleswalkedbefore，withwandsaswhiteassnow，TillintothehighdomeofPaul’stheylikeThameswatersflow。
Owhatamultitudetheyseemed，theseflowersofLondontown！
Seatedincompaniestheysit，withradiancealltheirown。
Thehumofmultitudeswasthere，butmultitudesoflambs，Thousandsoflittleboysandgirlsraisingtheirinnocenthands。
Nowlikeamightywindtheyraisetoheaventhevoiceofsong，Orlikeharmoniousthunderingstheseatsofheavenamong:
Beneaththemsittheagedmen，wiseguardiansofthepoor。
Thencherishpity，lestyoudriveanangelfromyourdoor。
NIGHT
ThesundescendingintheWest，Theeveningstardoesshine;
Thebirdsaresilentintheirnest，AndImustseekformine。
Themoon，likeaflowerInheaven’shighbower，Withsilentdelight，Sitsandsmilesonthenight。
Farewell，greenfieldsandhappygroves，Whereflockshavetookdelight，Wherelambshavenibbled，silentmovesThefeetofangelsbright;
Unseen，theypourblessing，Andjoywithoutceasing，Oneachbudandblossom，Andeachsleepingbosom。
TheylookineverythoughtlessnestWherebirdsarecoveredwarm;
Theyvisitcavesofeverybeast，Tokeepthemallfromharm:
IftheyseeanyweepingThatshouldhavebeensleeping，Theypoursleepontheirhead，Andsitdownbytheirbed。
Whenwolvesandtigershowlforprey，Theypityingstandandweep;
Seekingtodrivetheirthirstaway，Andkeepthemfromthesheep。
But，iftheyrushdreadful，Theangels，mostheedful，Receiveeachmildspirit，Newworldstoinherit。
Andtherethelion’sruddyeyesShallflowwithtearsofgold:
Andpityingthetendercries，Andwalkingroundthefold:
Saying:’WrathbyHismeekness，And，byHishealth，sickness，IsdrivenawayFromourimmortalday。
’Andnowbesidethee，bleatinglamb，Icanliedownandsleep，OrthinkonHimwhoborethyname，Grazeafterthee，andweep。
For，washedinlife’sriver，MybrightmaneforeverShallshinelikethegold，AsIguardo’erthefold。’
SPRING
Soundtheflute！
Nowit’smute！
Birdsdelight，Dayandnight，Nightingale，Inthedale，Larkinsky，—
Merrily，Merrily，merrilytowelcomeintheyear。
Littleboy，Fullofjoy;
Littlegirl，Sweetandsmall;
Cockdoescrow，Sodoyou;
Merryvoice，Infantnoise;
Merrily，merrilytowelcomeintheyear。
Littlelamb，HereIam;
ComeandlickMywhiteneck;
LetmepullYoursoftwool;
LetmekissYoursoftface;
Merrily，merrilywewelcomeintheyear。
NURSE’SSONG
Whenvoicesofchildrenareheardonthegreen，Andlaughingisheardonthehill，Myheartisatrestwithinmybreast，Andeverythingelseisstill。
’Thencomehome，mychildren，thesunisgonedown，Andthedewsofnightarise;
Come，come，leaveoffplay，andletusaway，Tillthemorningappearsintheskies。’
’No，no，letusplay，foritisyetday，Andwecannotgotosleep;
Besides，intheskythelittlebirdsfly，Andthehillsareallcoveredwithsheep。’
’Well，well，goandplaytillthelightfadesaway，Andthengohometobed。’
Thelittleonesleaped，andshouted，andlaughed，Andallthehillsechoed。
INFANTJOY
’Ihavenoname;
Iambuttwodaysold。’
WhatshallIcallthee？
’Ihappyam，Joyismyname。’
Sweetjoybefallthee！
Prettyjoy！
Sweetjoy，buttwodaysold。
SweetjoyIcallthee:
Thoudostsmile，Isingthewhile;
Sweetjoybefallthee！
ADREAM
OnceadreamdidweaveashadeO’ermyangel—guardedbed，ThatanemmetlostitswayWhereongrassmethoughtIlay。
Troubled，wildered，andforlorn，Dark，benighted，travel—worn，Overmanyatangledspray，Allheart—broke，Iheardhersay:
’Omychildren！dotheycry，Dotheyheartheirfathersigh？
Nowtheylookabroadtosee，Nowreturnandweepforme。’
Pitying，Idroppedatear:
ButIsawaglow—wormnear，Whoreplied，’WhatwailingwightCallsthewatchmanofthenight？’
’Iamsettolighttheground，Whilethebeetlegoeshisround:
Follownowthebeetle’shum;
Littlewanderer，hietheehome！’
ONANOTHER’SSORROW
CanIseeanother’swoe，Andnotbeinsorrowtoo？
CanIseeanother’sgrief，Andnotseekforkindrelief？
CanIseeafallingtear，Andnotfeelmysorrow’sshare？
CanafatherseehischildWeep，norbewithsorrowfilled？
CanamothersitandhearAninfantgroan，aninfantfear？
No，no！nevercanitbe！
Never，nevercanitbe！
AndcanHewhosmilesonallHearthewrenwithsorrowssmall，Hearthesmallbird’sgriefandcare，Hearthewoesthatinfantsbear—
Andnotsitbesidethenest，Pouringpityintheirbreast，Andnotsitthecradlenear，Weepingtearoninfant’stear？
Andnotsitbothnightandday，Wipingallourtearsaway？
Ono！nevercanitbe！
Never，nevercanitbe！
HedothgiveHisjoytoall:
Hebecomesaninfantsmall，Hebecomesamanofwoe，Hedothfeelthesorrowtoo。
Thinknotthoucanstsighasigh，AndthyMakerisnotby:
Thinknotthoucanstweepatear，AndthyMakerisnotnear。
OHegivestousHisjoy，ThatourgriefHemaydestroy:
TillourgriefisfledandgoneHedothsitbyusandmoan。
SONGSOFEXPERIENCE
INTRODUCTION
HearthevoiceoftheBard，Whopresent，past，andfuture，sees;
WhoseearshaveheardTheHolyWordThatwalkedamongtheancienttrees;
Callingthelapsedsoul，Andweepingintheeveningdew;
ThatmightcontrolThestarrypole，Andfallen，fallenlightrenew！
’OEarth，OEarth，return！
Arisefromoutthedewygrass！
Nightisworn，AndthemornRisesfromtheslumbrousmass。
