Songs of Innocence and of Experience

audiobook

Songs of Innocence and of Experience

by William Blake

EN·~35 minutes

Chapters

Description

A timeless collection unfolds in two contrasting halves, inviting listeners to wander through the bright fields of youthful wonder before stepping into the shadowed valleys of deeper awareness. The first part celebrates simple joys—shepherds guiding flocks, children playing on an echoing green, and a gentle lamb that whispers a quiet reverence for creation. Its verses are bright and rhythmic, offering a lyrical window onto innocence, hope, and the pure delight of everyday miracles.

The second half turns the same keen eye toward the harsher edges of life, questioning comfort and confronting loss, yet always with Blake’s vivid imagination and striking visual language. Poems such as “The Little Black Boy” and “The Chimney‑Sweeper” begin to probe identity, suffering, and social injustice, while retaining the musical cadence that makes each line memorable. Listeners will find a seamless blend of pastoral beauty and thoughtful critique, a journey that feels both comforting and provocatively fresh.

Details

Language

en

Duration

~35 minutes (33K characters)

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Release date

1999-10-01

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

William Blake

William Blake

1757–1827

A visionary poet, painter, and printmaker, he created some of the most memorable works of the Romantic era, including Songs of Innocence and of Experience. His writing mixes simplicity, spiritual intensity, and bold imagination in a way that still feels fresh and surprising.

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