The Lamb

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 in Romantic literature and art. His work, though underappreciated in his lifetime, is now celebrated for its originality and depth.

The poem was published in William Blake’s collection of poems “Songs of Innocence” in 1789. It is one of Blake’s best-known works and is often paired with “The Tyger” from his “Songs of Experience” to present contrasting views of the world. It is in the form of a dialogue between the child and the lamb and an amalgam of Christian Script and Pastoral tradition. The poem sees in the figure of the lamb an expression of God’s will and the beauty of God’s creation. It is told from the perspective of a child who shows an intuitive understanding of the nature of joy and, indeed, the joy of nature. The lamb is a universal symbol of selfless innocence, Jesus the Lamb is the gentle imagination, the Divine Humanity. The poem presents the ideal of charity substantiating Christian compassion and Caritas or caring, the ideals of the Lamb of God. The poem follows a simple AABB rhyme scheme, reinforcing the childlike tone and the theme of innocence. The rhythm is regular and musical, reminiscent of a nursery rhyme, which adds to the sense of simplicity and purity

Text of the poem.

Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed,
By the stream and o’er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing, woolly, bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice?
Little Lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?

Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee,
Little Lamb, I’ll tell thee.
He is called by thy name,
For He calls Himself a Lamb.
He is meek, and He is mild;
He became a little child.
I a child, and thou a lamb,
We are called by His name.
Little Lamb, God bless thee!
Little Lamb, God bless thee!

First Stanza

In the first stanza, the speaker, likely a child, addresses the lamb directly, asking if it knows who created it. The repetition of the question “who made thee” emphasizes a sense of wonder and curiosity. The imagery of the lamb being given and being made to feed by the stream and meadow evokes a pastoral, Edenic world where nature is harmonious and nurturing. The speaker describes the lamb’s characteristics, noting its “clothing of delight”, which refers to its wool. The description of the wool as “softest” and “woolly bright” suggests purity and gentleness. The lamb’s “tender voice” that brings joy to the valleys adds to the idyllic and innocent portrayal. The stanza concludes with a repeated question, reinforcing the central theme of inquiry into the creator’s identity.

Second Stanza

In the second stanza, the speaker answers his question. The answer identifies the creator as Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the Lamb of God in Christian theology. This identification is significant because it links the lamb to Christ’s qualities of innocence, sacrifice, and gentleness. The description of Christ as “meek” and “mild” further emphasizes the qualities of humility and gentleness. The reference to Christ becoming a child underscores the themes of innocence and purity, drawing a parallel between the innocence of the lamb and the innocence of Christ as a child. The speaker identifies himself as a child and the lamb as a lamb, both creations of God, sharing a bond through their creator. This line highlights the connection between all innocent beings and the divine. The poem concludes with a benediction, a blessing for the lamb. The repetition of “God bless thee” reinforces the theme of divine care and protection over all innocent creatures.