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About

Genius Annotation

From Blake’s Songs of Experience. published in the 1794, this was one of the series of poems which explore the harsh realities of late 18th and early 19th Century life during the time of King George III, known — ironically given the terrible social conditions of the time — as the Romantic Era. Each poem in the “Songs of Experience” category is matched by an idealistic portrayal in Songs of Innocence. The contrast is Blake’s method of social protest.

This is the matching poem to the Introduction to Songs of Innocence and, appropriately, is more complex. The poet, in the guise of ‘The Bard’, urges the reader to listen to his ‘voice’ — a supernatural being who can see the past, present, and future. Instead of the rural shepherd composing songs from the heart and then writing them at the behest of a fantasy child, this poet hears ‘the Holy Word/ that walk’d among the ancient trees’ — an echo of Blake’s Jerusalem and the feet that ‘walked in ancient times’.

Man needs to turn away from materialism, return to a more spiritual way of being and redeem himself. However, the Bard’s call must go unheeded, because it is impossible for his readers to pull themselves out of their spiritually broken state. This differs from Blake’s view in ‘Holy Thursday’ and ‘London’, where he recognises the need for God’s intervention.

Structure
There are four quintains, that is, stanzas of five lines each, each stanza made up of an ABAAB rhyme scheme. The lines are of uneven length, giving an irregular, springy rhythm unusual for Blake.

Language and Imagery
The poem is symbolic, dealing in abstract ideas and using metaphors to represent man’s need for redemption. So, for example, ‘night is worn’ represents the state of sin in which humans live; ‘the starry floor’ and ‘wat'ry shore’ represents spiritual riches.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

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