The Chimney Sweeper from Songs of Experience

"The Chimney Sweeper" from Songs of Experience

 

 

 

 

 

 

A little black thing among 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 smil¡¯d 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.¡¯