Introduction

Wednesday, January 14, 2009


Synopsis:

This 'Introduction' sets the tone for the Songs of Innocence as a whole, with its use of images of the child and the Lamb (Christ), together with the bright idyllic pastoral setting, establishing the tone of Innocence: guiltless, freedom from harm and sin.

Poem:

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!"
So I piped with merry cheer.
"Piper, pipe that song again;"
So I piped: he wept to hear.

"Drop thy pipe, thy happy pipe;
Sing thy songs of happy cheer!"
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 vanished from my sight,

And I plucked a hollow reed,
And I made a rural pen,
And I stained the water clear,
And I wrote my happy songs
Every child may joy to hear.

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