Nurse's Song (Innocence) - William Blake
/Nurse's Song (Innocence) - William Blake/
A Gentle Exchange Between Care and Youth
Original (Line 1): When the voices of children are heard on the green
English (Line 1): When the voices of children are heard on the green,
Original (Line 2): And laughing is heard on the hill,
English (Line 2): And laughter echoes across the hill,
Original (Line 3): My heart is at rest within my breast
English (Line 3): My heart rests quietly within my chest,
Original (Line 4): And everything else is still.
English (Line 4): And everything else lies still.
Original (Line 5): ‘Then come home, my children, the sun is gone down,
English (Line 5): “Come home, my children, for the sun has set,
Original (Line 6): And the dews of night arise;
English (Line 6): And the dew of night now rises;
Original (Line 7): Come, come leave off play, and let us away
English (Line 7): Come, come, leave your play, and let us go
Original (Line 8): Till the morning appears in the skies.’
English (Line 8): Till morning returns to the skies.”
Original (Line 9): ‘No, no, let us play, for it is yet day,
English (Line 9): “No, no, let us play, for there’s still some day,
Original (Line 10): And we cannot go to sleep;
English (Line 10): And we are not ready for sleep;
Original (Line 11): Besides, in the sky, the little birds fly,
English (Line 11): Besides, in the sky, the little birds still fly,
Original (Line 12): And the hills are all cover’d with sheep.’
English (Line 12): And the hills remain covered with sheep.”
Original (Line 13): ‘Well, well, go & play till the light fades away,
English (Line 13): “All right, play on until the daylight is gone,
Original (Line 14): And then go home to bed.’
English (Line 14): And then we’ll head home to bed.”
Original (Line 15): The little ones leaped & shouted & laugh’d
English (Line 15): The children leaped, shouted, and laughed,
Original (Line 16): And all the hills ecchoed.
English (Line 16): And the hills resounded with their joy.
From William Blake’s Nurse’s Song (Innocence), part of Songs of Innocence (1789). Public domain.
In “Nurse’s Song (Innocence),” William Blake offers a vision of children at play and a caretaker—named simply “Nurse”—who oversees them with gentle understanding. Published in his 1789 collection *Songs of Innocence*, the poem features a serene countryside setting: children laughing on the green, hills echoing with their joy, and a nurse whose primary instinct is to let them relish the last bit of daylight.
The poem highlights the harmony between the children’s natural impulse to play and the nurturing instincts of the adult figure. While the nurse initially calls them home at sunset, the children’s appeal—“No, no, let us play…”—persuades her to allow them a bit more freedom. This exchange underscores a spirit of trust and mutual respect. Blake portrays the nurse not as an authoritarian, but rather as a loving guardian who recognizes the simple magic of childhood.
Moreover, the poem balances themes of delight and responsibility. The children eventually must go to bed, signifying the interplay between unstructured freedom and the gentle rules of caring adults. Yet the prevailing tone remains one of ease and affection. There is no rush, nor harsh discipline—just a reverent recognition that children’s laughter enriches the entire landscape, turning it into a place of living wonder.
In the broader context of Blake’s *Songs of Innocence*, “Nurse’s Song (Innocence)” speaks to a worldview where childhood is treasured as a natural state of joy, curiosity, and goodness. It stands as a lyrical call for grown-ups to foster rather than stifle young spirits. As a companion piece, “Nurse’s Song (Experience)” provides a darker twist on this setting, reflecting how adult cynicism can overshadow the vibrancy of youth. Taken together, they challenge readers to consider whether we protect or undermine the inherent brilliance of childhood.
Key points
1. The nurse figure balances guidance with respect for children’s joy.
2. Blake depicts childhood play as a vital, harmonious part of nature.
3. Twilight symbolizes the gentle transition between freedom and duty.
4. This poem contrasts with its ‘Experience’ counterpart, exploring innocence unclouded by adult cynicism.
