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Holy Thursday (Songs of Innocence) by William Blake
'Twas on a holy Thursday, their innocent faces clean,
The children walking two and two in red and blue and green:
Grey-headed beadles walked before, with wands as white as snow,
Till into the high dome of Paul’s they like Thames waters flow.
O what a multitude they seemed, these flowers of London town!
Seated in companies they sit, with radiance all their own.
The hum of multitudes was there, but multitudes of lambs,
Thousands of little boys and girls raising their innocent hands.
Now like a mighty wind they raise to heaven the voice of song,
Or like harmonious thunderings the seats of heaven among:
Beneath them sit the aged men, wise guardians of the poor.
Then cherish pity, lest you drive an angel from your door.
Complete Analysis of "Holy Thursday" (Songs of Innocence) by William Blake
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General Introduction
William Blake's "Holy Thursday" is part of his collection Songs of Innocence, published in 1789. This poem reflects on the annual charity service held on Ascension Day in St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, where orphans from the city’s charity schools would sing hymns. Through vivid imagery and symbolic language, Blake juxtaposes the innocence and purity of the children with the rigid and institutional nature of the event. The poem is a poignant commentary on the social realities of Blake’s time, subtly questioning the sincerity and effectiveness of charity and institutional care for the poor.
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Title
"Holy Thursday" refers to Ascension Day, a significant day in the Christian calendar marking the ascension of Jesus into heaven. The title suggests a religious and solemn occasion, emphasizing the spiritual overtones and societal implications of the event described. Blake's choice of this title sets the stage for a reflection on both the sacred and the social aspects of the scene.
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Stanza-by-Stanza Analysis
Stanza 1:
```
'Twas on a holy Thursday, their innocent faces clean,
The children walking two and two in red and blue and green:
Grey-headed beadles walked before, with wands as white as snow,
Till into the high dome of Paul’s they like Thames waters flow.
```
In the opening stanza, Blake introduces the scene with the children marching in organized rows into St. Paul’s Cathedral. The children's "innocent faces clean" highlights their purity and the ceremonial nature of the event. The beadles, or officials, with "wands as white as snow," symbolize authority and perhaps the superficial purity of the institutional care. The simile comparing the children to the flowing Thames underscores the sheer number and continuous movement of the children, emphasizing their collective presence.
Stanza 2:
```
O what a multitude they seemed, these flowers of London town!
Seated in companies they sit, with radiance all their own.
The hum of multitudes was there, but multitudes of lambs,
Thousands of little boys and girls raising their innocent hands.
```
Blake continues to depict the children as a vast, vibrant multitude, likening them to "flowers of London town." This metaphor suggests both their beauty and their delicate, transient nature. The "radiance all their own" implies a natural, inner light emanating from their innocence. The comparison to lambs reinforces their purity and vulnerability. The image of the children raising their "innocent hands" suggests a gesture of prayer or a plea, enhancing the sense of their spiritual and moral significance.
Stanza 3:
```
Now like a mighty wind they raise to heaven the voice of song,
Or like harmonious thunderings the seats of heaven among:
Beneath them sit the aged men, wise guardians of the poor.
Then cherish pity, lest you drive an angel from your door.
```
In the final stanza, the children's collective singing is described as a powerful, almost supernatural force, "like a mighty wind" or "harmonious thunderings." This imagery elevates their voices to a divine level, suggesting the purity and power of their innocence. The "aged men, wise guardians of the poor," sit beneath the children, implying a hierarchical structure where the children’s pure voices transcend the authority figures. The concluding admonition to "cherish pity, lest you drive an angel from your door" serves as a moral lesson, urging the audience to value compassion and kindness towards the innocent and vulnerable.
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Themes
1. Innocence and Purity: The poem consistently highlights the innocence and purity of the children, depicted as "flowers" and "lambs," symbols of beauty and gentleness. Their clean faces and vibrant clothing further emphasize their untainted nature.
2. Institutional Authority vs. Natural Innocence: Blake contrasts the rigid, organized nature of the event, represented by the beadles and the structured march, with the natural, radiant innocence of the children. This juxtaposition critiques the institutional control over the children's natural purity.
3. Power of Innocence: The children's collective voice, compared to a "mighty wind" and "harmonious thunderings," suggests the immense, almost divine power of their innocence. This power surpasses the authority of the "wise guardians," highlighting the moral superiority of the innocent.
4. Social Commentary on Charity: While the event is meant to be a display of charity, Blake subtly questions the effectiveness and sincerity of institutional care. The children's dependency on charity underscores the social inequalities and the superficial nature of the display.
5. Spiritual and Moral Lessons: The final exhortation to "cherish pity" serves as a moral and spiritual lesson, reminding readers of the importance of compassion and the inherent value of innocence and purity.
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Structure and Form
"Holy Thursday" is composed of three quatrains, each with a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme. This regular structure mirrors the organized, ceremonial nature of the event described. The steady rhythm and rhyme contribute to the poem’s solemn, hymn-like quality, reinforcing the religious and moral themes. The simplicity and clarity of the form reflect the poem’s focus on the innocent and the pure.
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Literary Devices
1. Simile:
- "like Thames waters flow": This simile emphasizes the continuous, vast movement of the children.
- "like a mighty wind": Suggests the powerful, almost overwhelming collective voice of the children.
2. Metaphor:
- "these flowers of London town": Compares the children to flowers, symbolizing their beauty and fragility.
- "multitudes of lambs": Likens the children to lambs, reinforcing their innocence and purity.
3. Imagery:
- "Their innocent faces clean": Evokes the purity and fresh appearance of the children.
- "wands as white as snow": Creates a visual contrast between the beadles' authority and the children’s innocence.
4. Alliteration:
- "Grey-headed beadles": Enhances the description of the officials and their authority.
- "harmonious thunderings": Emphasizes the powerful, collective voice of the children.
5. Symbolism:
- St. Paul’s Cathedral: Represents institutional religion and charity.
- Innocent hands raised: Symbolizes a plea for divine intervention or recognition.
6. Personification:
- The children’s voices are given the force of "mighty wind" and "harmonious thunderings," elevating their innocence to a divine level.
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Language and Diction
Blake's choice of simple, direct language mirrors the innocence of the children and the clarity of the moral lesson. Words like "innocent," "clean," "radiance," and "lambs" evoke purity and beauty. The use of rich, sensory language creates vivid images of the event, enhancing the reader’s emotional engagement and highlighting the contrast between the children's natural innocence and the structured ceremony.
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Mood and Tone
The mood of "Holy Thursday" is solemn yet radiant, capturing the blend of reverence and the underlying critique of the event. The tone is one of admiration for the children's innocence and subtle skepticism towards the institutional framework. Blake’s depiction of the children’s powerful voices adds a sense of awe and respect for their purity and moral significance.
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Context
William Blake was a visionary poet and artist who often critiqued the social and religious institutions of his time. Songs of Innocence focuses on themes of childhood, innocence, and the impact of societal structures on natural purity. "Holy Thursday" reflects Blake’s concern with the plight of the poor and the superficial nature of institutional charity, inviting readers to reconsider the true meaning of compassion and care for the vulnerable.
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Conclusion
"Holy Thursday" by William Blake is a profound exploration of innocence, institutional authority, and social charity. Through vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, Blake highlights the radiant purity of the children against the backdrop of organized charity. The poem serves as both a celebration of the children’s natural beauty and a subtle critique of the societal structures that claim to protect them. Ultimately, it calls for genuine compassion and recognition of the moral power inherent in innocence and purity.
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