The sun does arise,
And make happy the skies;
The merry bells ring
To welcome the Spring;
The skylark and thrush,
The birds of the bush,
Sing louder around
To the bells’ cheerful sound;
While our sports shall be seen
On the echoing green.
Old John, with white hair,
Does laugh away care,
Sitting under the oak,
Among the old folk.
They laugh at our play,
And soon they all say,
‘Such, such were the joys
When we all—girls and boys—
In our youth-time were seen
On the echoing green.’
Till the little ones, weary,
No more can be merry:
The sun does descend,
And our sports have an end.
Round the laps of their mothers
Many sisters and brothers,
Like birds in their nest,
Are ready for rest,
And sport no more seen
On the darkening green.
Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience by William Blake (1901) | William Blake (1757–1827)
Suggestions
Have your children do one or more of the following:
- Read the poem aloud (or read it aloud for younger children).
- Identify the lines that rhyme.
- What is the rhyme scheme? (AABBCCDDEE)
- Blake is detailing the enjoyment of spring. How do I know? Make a list of details he mentions that indicate an enjoyment of spring.
- Learn more about the skylark and thrush.
- The birds are singing. Learn what’s in a bird song.
- What is the “echoing green”? (Hint: Imagine what you would see and hear if you were there.)
- Have your children memorize this poem. We recommend copying the poem two lines at a time to aid the memorization process.
- Illustrate the poem on Drawing & Writing paper.
- After the poem has been memorized, have your child recite the poem.
- Read another poem by William Blake.
- For a challenge, older students can try rewriting the poem as a short story.
- Create an author page for Blake.
- View a portrait of William Blake.
Further Information
Drawing & Writing Notebooking Paper {Free Download}
For copying the poem.
Author Notebooking Paper
Create an author page for William Blake.
The Outdoor Handy Book {Free eBook}
Get outside on the “echoing green” with these sports, games, and outdoor activities.
