Songs of Innocence and of Experience
Blake etched, printed and hand-colored Songs of Innocence in 1789 and added Songs of Experience in 1794, publishing the two together as "shewing the two contrary states of the human soul." The first group speaks in the voices of children, shepherds and lambs, in rhythms close to nursery rhymes, and includes "The Lamb," "The Little Black Boy" and "The Chimney-Sweeper." The second answers them poem by poem in a darker key: "The Tyger," "London," "The Sick Rose," "A Poison Tree" and a second "Chimney-Sweeper" in which the child's parents have gone to church. Read together, the pairs argue with each other about God, nature, authority and innocence. This edition presents the texts without Blake's illustrations. Read it online in your browser on Vinteuil; the first poems are free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Songs of Innocence and of Experience
Songs of Innocence and of Experience by William Blake can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Songs of Innocence and of Experience online?
Yes. Songs of Innocence and of Experience opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Songs of Innocence and of Experience free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Songs of Innocence and of Experience is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Songs of Innocence and of Experience in the public domain?
Yes. Songs of Innocence and of Experience by William Blake is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Songs of Innocence and of Experience?
About 22 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Songs of Innocence and of Experience?
Songs of Innocence and of Experience by William Blake is filed under "Poetry" in the Vinteuil library.
