The Chimney Sweeper
(Experience)
A little black thing among
the snow,
Crying ‘Weep! Weep!’ in notes of woe!
‘Where are thy father &
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 &
dance & sing,
They think they have done me
no injury,
And are gone to praise God
& his Priest & his King,
Who make up a heaven of our misery.’