A Cradle Song
By William Blake
Sweet dreams form a shade,
O'er my
lovely infants head.
Sweet
dreams of pleasant streams,
By happy
silent moony beams.
Sweet sleep
with soft down.
Weave thy
brows an infant crown.
Sweet sleep
Angel mild,
Hover o'er
my happy child.
Sweet
smiles in the night,
Hover over
my delight.
Sweet
smiles Mothers smiles,
All the
livelong night beguiles.
Sweet
moans, dovelike sighs,
Chase not
slumber from thy eyes,
Sweet
moans, sweeter smiles,
All the
dovelike moans beguiles.
Sleep,
sleep, happy child,
All
creation slept and smil'd.
Sleep,
sleep, happy sleep.
While o'er
thee thy mother weep
Sweet babe
in thy face,
Holy image
I can trace.
Sweet babe
once like thee.
Thy maker
lay and wept for me
Wept for me
for thee for all,
When he was
an infant small.
Thou his
image ever see.
Heavenly
face that smiles on thee,
Smiles on
thee on me on all,
Who became
an infant small,
Infant
smiles are His own smiles,
Heaven
& earth to peace beguiles.
The poem is first published in William Blake’s collection of poems
“Songs of Innocence” in 1789. It possesses the feel of sweet childhood lullaby.
Just like his other poems in “Songs of Innocence” the poet is trying to glorify
the natural world, within which we live, in the face of a more subjective
heaven, where the God reside. It expresses the deep affection and spiritual
connection between a mother and her child.
First Stanza
In the first stanza, the mother wishes her baby sweet dreams. She
imagines these dreams forming a protective, comforting shade over the child’s
head. The dreams are filled with pleasant images of serene streams and the
gentles light of the moon, creating a peaceful and happy atmosphere for the
child to rest in.
Second Stanza
The mother addresses Sleep itself, asking it to come softly and gently,
like a downy feather, and crown the child with its presence. She envisions
Sleep as mild and gentle angel that hovers protectively over her happy,
contented baby, ensuring a restful slumber.
Third Stanza
The mother now focuses on sweet smiles, hoping that they will surround
her child during the night. These smiles, including the mother’s own, bring joy
and comfort. They make the long night pleasant and beguiling, transforming it
into a time of happiness and love.
Fourth Stanza
In this stanza, the mother acknowledges the inevitable sweet moan and
sight of her baby. She hoes these gentle sounds, reminiscent of a dove’s
cooing, would not disturb the child’s sleep. The mother’s own smiles and
comforting presence will soothe any distress, ensuring that the baby remains in
a peaceful slumber.
Fifth Stanza
The mother encourages her happy child to sleep, emphasizing that sleep
is a natural and universal state, as all of creation sleeps and smiles. She
wishes for the child to enjoy a happy, restful sleep, while she watches over
him with tears of joy and tenderness.
Sixth Stanza
The sees a holy image in her baby’s face, perhaps reflecting her belief
in the innocence and purity of her child. She draws a parallel between her baby
and the infant Jesus, who was once a sweet, innocent baby like hers. This
connection brings a spiritual dimension to her love and care.
Seventh Stanza
The mother reflects on the idea that Jesus, as a baby, wept for all
humanity, including her and her child. She believes that her baby carries the
image of the divine, and she envisions a heavenly face smiling down on her
child, offering protection and blessing.
Eighth Stanza
In the final stanza, the mother concludes that the smiles on her child,
herself, and everyone are reflections of the divine smiles. She believes that
Jesus, who once became a small infant, shares his divine smiles through
innocence of babies. These smiles bring peace to both heaven and earth,
reinforcing the sacred bond between mother and child.
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