Songs of Innocence
by William Blake
Songs of Innocence, published in 1789, is a collection of lyrical poetry written and illustrated by William Blake. Blake believed that innocence and experience were "the two contrary states of the human soul." He also believed that true innocence was impossible without experience.
The verses in Songs of Innocence are about children or written from a child's perspective.
In 1794, Blake went on to publish Songs of Experience as a companion to this volume.
Return to the William Blake library.