Nurse’s Song

By William Blake

William Blake (1757-1827) was an English poet, painter, and visionary, whose work combines profound spiritual themes with intense, often mystical imagery. Blake’s unique style blends poetry and visual art, making him a pioneer figure in Romantic literature and art. His work, though underappreciated in his lifetime, is now celebrated for its originality and depth. The poem in question is a part of William Blake’s collection of poems “Songs of Innocence” published in 1789. It depicts a joyful scene, in which a nurse watches the children in her care as they play outside. The nurse finds happiness in the sounds and glee of the children, and she permits them to continue playing when they request more time before having to return home. Through the nurse’s gentleness and warmth, the poem depicts a world that cherishes and prioritizes the innocence, curiosity, and freedom of childhood. It is one of the seven poem titles to appear in both “Songs of Innocence” and “Songs of Experience”.

Text of the poem.

When voices of children are heard on the green,
And laughing is heard on the hill,
My heart is at rest within my breast,
And everything else is still.

‘Then come home my children the sun is gone down,
And the dews of night arise;
Come, come, leave off play, and let us away,
Till the morning appears in the skies.’

‘No, no, let us play, for it is yet day,
And we cannot go to sleep;
Besides, in the sky, the little birds fly,
And the hills are all covered with sheep.’

‘Well, well, go and play till the light fades away,
And then go home to bed.’
The little ones leaped, and shouted, and laughed,
And all the hills echoed.

First Stanza

In the first stanza, the speaker (a nurse) expresses a sense of peace and contentment that arises from hearing the joyful sounds of children playing outside. The “voices of children” and “laughing on the hill” evoke a lively and carefree atmosphere. The nurse feels a deep sense of inner calm and satisfaction (“my heart is at rest within my breast”), suggesting that the happiness of the children brings her great joy and tranquility. The phrase “everything else is still” indicates that this joy quiets any other concerns or distractions, allowing the nurse to fully appreciate the moment.

Second Stanza

In the second stanza, the nurse calls the children to come home as the day ends (“the sun is gone down”) and night begins to fall (“the dews of night arise”). The nurse gently urges the children to stop playing (“leave off play”) and return home for the night. The tone remains nurturing and caring, emphasizing the nurse’s protective role. She assures the children that they can continue their play the next day (“till the morning appears in the skies”), indicating that this joyful and innocent play is a regular and cherished part of their lives.

Third Stanza

In the next stanza, the children respond to the nurse’s call, expressing their desire to keep playing. They argue that it is still daytime (“it is yet day”) and that they are not ready to go to sleep. The children point out the continued activity in nature (“the little birds fly” and “the hills are all covered with sheep”), suggesting that the world around them is still lively and vibrant. Their plea reflects their enthusiasm and energy, as well as a sense of freedom and connection to the natural world.

Fourth Stanza

In the final stanza, the nurse acquiesces to the children’s request, allowing them to continue playing until it becomes too dark (“till the light fades away”). She then gently reminds them that they will need to go home to bed afterward. The children’s joyous reaction (“leaped and shouted, and laughed”) emphasizes their happiness and the lively spirit of their play. The echoing hills suggest that their joy is so profound and exuberant that it reverberates through the natural surroundings, highlighting the harmonious relationship between the children and their environment.