The Chimney Sweeper

The Chimney Sweeper
William Blake

When my mother died I was very young,
And my father sold me while yet my tongue,
Could scarcely cry weep weep weep weep,
So your chimneys I sweep & in soot I sleep.

Theres little Tom Dacre, who cried when his head
That curled like a lambs back was shav'd, so I said.
Hush Tom never mind it, for when your head's bare,
You know that the soot cannot spoil your white hair

And so he was quiet. & that very night.
As Tom was a sleeping he had such a sight
That thousands of sweepers Dick, Joe, Ned, & Jack
Were all of them lock'd up in coffins of black,

And by came an Angel who had a bright key
And he open'd the coffins & set them all free.
Then down a green plain leaping laughing they run
And wash in a river and shine in the Sun.

Then naked & white, all their bags left behind.
They rise upon clouds, and sport in the wind.
And the Angel told Tom, if he'd be a good boy,
He'd have God for his father & never want joy.

And so Tom awoke and we rose in the dark
And got with our bags & our brushes to work.
Tho' the morning was cold, Tom was happy & warm
So if all do their duty, they need not fear harm.

       The first interesting thing I noticed about this poem is how terrible of a life this young boy has, but he still is happy for the most part.  This can be compared to every day life, because it seems everyone who has had difficult situations are always the most hopeful and thankful people.  It is very sad that it has to take something bad in life to make someone realize how important life truly is.  The boy in this poem has had a rough time, but he believes that he will have a better life in heaven after he dies.  This dream keeps the boy hopeful and able to make it through each day.  This poem brings up the everyday lesson that before someone can understand another person, they must walk a mile in their shoes.  Back when this poem was written, chimney sweeps were very common, but most people would not take the time to talk to any of them.  I think it is significant how Blake wrote about a chimney sweep, because people do not know what it is like to live as one.  Also some people think their life is hard, most of the time they realize others have it so much worse than them.  It is important that Blake shed some light on this darkened thought to make sure people realize the conditions others have to live in.  
       I thought it was really interesting how in a city where there are chimney sweeps, the boy dreams of things in nature, like a river and a green plain.  This shows that the boy dreams of feeling a sense of freedom and happiness. Also in the boy's dreams the angel told him if he was a good boy, he would go up to heaven where he could be free and he would never want joy, because he would already have everything he needed.  This angel's promise made the boy warm even though he was chimney sweeping in the cold.  If they all did their job, and were good, they would be safe.  One thing I really like about this poem are the promises, hopes and dreams included.  It shows that if people who live in these low of conditions can have hope, then everyone should be able to as well.