SONGS of INNOCENCE 1789 The Author & Printer W Blake SONGS 4 Introduction Piping down the valleys wild Piping songs of pleasant glee On a cloud I saw a child. And he laughing said to me. Pipe a song about a Lamb; 5 So I piped with merry clear, Piper pipe that song again — So I piped, he wept to hear. Drop thy pipe thy happy pipe Sing thy songs of happy clear, 10 So I sung the same again While he wept with joy to hear Piper sit thee down and write In a book that all may read — So he vanish’d from my sight. 15 And I pluck’d a hollow reed. And I made a rural pen, And I stain’d the water clear, And I wrote my happy songs Every child may joy to hear 20 SONGS 5 The Shepherd.
How sweet is the Shepherds sweet lot, From the morn to the evening he strays: He shall follow his sheep all the day And his tongue shall be filled with praise. For he hears the lambs innocent call, 5 And he hears the ewes tender reply, He is watchful while they are in peace, For they know when their Shepherd is nigh. Begin Page 8 SONGS 6 The Ecchoing Green The Sun does arise, And make happy the skies. The merry bells ring To welcome the Spring. The sky-lark and thrush, 5 The birds of the bush, Sing louder around, To the bells cheerful sound. While our sports shall be seen On the Ecchoing Green.
10 Old John with white hair Does laugh away care, Sitting under the oak, Among the old folk,.
