The Chimney Sweeper (Innocence) - William Blake
/The Chimney Sweeper (Innocence) - William Blake/
A Child’s Lament in Sooty Toil
Original (Line 1): When my mother died I was very young,
English (Line 1): When my mother died I was very young,
Original (Line 2): And my father sold me while yet my tongue
English (Line 2): And my father sold me while yet my tongue
Original (Line 3): Could scarcely cry ‘weep! ‘weep! ‘weep! ‘weep!
English (Line 3): Could scarcely cry ‘weep! ‘weep! ‘weep! ‘weep!
Original (Line 4): So your chimneys I sweep & in soot I sleep.
English (Line 4): So your chimneys I sweep and in soot I sleep.
Original (Line 5): There’s little Tom Dacre, who cried when his head,
English (Line 5): There’s little Tom Dacre, who cried when his head,
Original (Line 6): That curl’d like a lamb’s back, was shav’d, so I said,
English (Line 6): Curled like a lamb’s back, was shaved; so I said,
Original (Line 7): “Hush, Tom! never mind it, for when your head’s bare,
English (Line 7): “Hush, Tom! never mind it, for when your head’s bare,
Original (Line 8): You know that the soot cannot spoil your white hair.”
English (Line 8): You know that the soot cannot spoil your white hair.”
Original (Line 9): And so he was quiet, & that very night,
English (Line 9): And so he was quiet, and that very night,
Original (Line 10): As Tom was a-sleeping he had such a sight!
English (Line 10): As Tom was sleeping, he had such a sight!
Original (Line 11): That thousands of sweepers, Dick, Joe, Ned & Jack,
English (Line 11): That thousands of sweepers—Dick, Joe, Ned, and Jack—
Original (Line 12): Were all of them lock’d up in coffins of black;
English (Line 12): Were all locked up in black coffins;
Original (Line 13): And by came an Angel who had a bright key,
English (Line 13): And then an Angel came, who had a bright key,
Original (Line 14): And he open’d the coffins & set them all free;
English (Line 14): And he opened the coffins, setting them free;
Original (Line 15): Then down a green plain leaping, laughing, they run,
English (Line 15): Then down a green plain, leaping, laughing, they ran,
Original (Line 16): And wash in a river and shine in the Sun.
English (Line 16): And washed in a river, shining in the sun.
Original (Line 17): Then naked & white, all their bags left behind,
English (Line 17): Naked and white, leaving their bags behind,
Original (Line 18): They rise upon clouds and sport in the wind;
English (Line 18): They rose upon clouds and played in the wind;
Original (Line 19): And the Angel told Tom, if he’d be a good boy,
English (Line 19): And the Angel told Tom that if he’d be a good boy,
Original (Line 20): He’d have God for his father & never want joy.
English (Line 20): He would have God for his father and never lack joy.
Original (Line 21): And so Tom awoke; and we rose in the dark,
English (Line 21): And so Tom awoke; we rose in the dark,
Original (Line 22): And got with our bags & our brushes to work.
English (Line 22): And with our bags and our brushes, we set to work.
Original (Line 23): Tho’ the morning was cold, Tom was happy & warm,
English (Line 23): Though the morning was cold, Tom felt happy and warm,
Original (Line 24): So if all do their duty, they need not fear harm.
English (Line 24): For if all do their duty, they need not fear harm.
From William Blake’s The Chimney Sweeper (Songs of Innocence, 1789). Public domain.
In “The Chimney Sweeper” from his Songs of Innocence (1789), William Blake reveals the plight of young chimney sweeps in 18th-century England through the perspective of a child narrator. Sold into a life of labor after his mother’s death, the speaker introduces us to another young sweep, Tom Dacre, who endures the indignity of having his curly hair shaved. Yet the boy’s despair is alleviated by a dream vision: an Angel appears to liberate the sweepers from grim, coffin-like constraints, promising them heavenly protection if they remain good.
In the context of Blake’s wider works, “The Chimney Sweeper (Innocence)” exhibits his signature contrast between an innocent viewpoint—highlighted by the narrator’s faith in an Angelic promise—and the harsh realities of child labor. Through gentle and accessible language, the poem critiques societal indifference to the exploitation of children, trusting instead in spiritual reassurance and the hopeful moral that if one remains dutiful and pure, no lasting harm will befall them.
This gentle optimism distinguishes it from its companion piece in Songs of Experience, where Blake adopts a more cynical tone. Here, innocence and belief in ultimate justice provide a comforting refuge for children living under oppressive conditions. The poem ultimately underscores how resilience and imagination can bring solace to those who have little else.
Within Blake’s larger message, this poem illuminates the interplay between innocence, exploitation, and a higher promise of redemption, while also condemning the structural injustices that forced children into dangerous, unjust labor. Though first published centuries ago, the work remains hauntingly relevant, urging readers to question the moral cost of societal complacency toward suffering youth.
Key points
1. Blake presents the chimney sweeps’ plight from a child’s hopeful vantage.
2. A dream vision highlights spiritual assurance amid oppressive working conditions.
3. Innocence contrasts starkly with the harsh realities of child labor.
4. The poem challenges societal indifference and encourages empathy and reform.