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THE CHIMNEY SWEEPER, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: A LITTLE BLACK THING AMONG THE SNOW
Last Line: "WHO MAKE UP A HEAVEN OF OUR MISERY."
Subject(s): BIBLE; CHILD LABOR; CHIMNEY SWEEPERS & CHIMNEYS; MYTHOLOGY;

A little black thing in 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,
And smiled 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,
And are gone to praise God and his priest and king,
Who make up a heaven of our misery."




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