The Ecchoing Green - William Blake

This time I’ll be analysing a Song of Innocence called “The Ecchoing Green”, which, unlike London, is the epitome of the Songs of Innocence in presenting the reader an idyllic pastoral setting, and celebrating youth and Spring. With Blake being a Londoner, he may never have seen such a scene as his personal setting was far removed from nature.

The Ecchoing Green

The Sun does arise,

And make happy the skies.

The merry bells ring,

To welcome the Spring.

The sky-lark and thrush,

The birds of the bush,

Sing louder around,

To the bells chearful sound,

While our sports shall be seen

On the Ecchoing 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 & boys,

In our youth time were seen,

On the Ecchoing 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.

Form/Structure

The poem consists of three ten-line stanzas, each composed of five rhyming couplets, which indicates the harmonious relationship Blake wants to illustrate between man and nature. The regularity of the rhyme scheme also gives it the form of a song, the shortness of the lines allowing a rapid reoccurrence of the rhyming sounds.

The metre is anapaestic, giving the poem a jaunty rising rhythm that creates a playful tone in line with the themes explored.

Stanza One

The first stanza seeks to illustrate a symbiosis, or harmony between nature and humanity. Reference to “Spring” indicates a celebration of new life, and this is therefore treated as a beginning. When considering that Blake wants to present the two contrary states of Innocence and Experience, it may be postulated that this poem is set during the period of material innocence in its pastoral and idyllic setting.

Blake mentions “The sky-lark and thrush,/The birds of the bush,” to highlight the empathy/responsiveness towards every other creation that humanity should have, while also creating a sense of liveliness and exuberance in these animals.

When referring to the children’s play as “our sports”, the possessive pronoun “our” shows that the speaker identifies clearly with the children, as well as showing a common sense of ownership.

Stanza Two

The following stanza changes to the perspective of “Old John” as the older generation recollect their own youthful days. He is described as “Sitting under the oak,” and the oak has been interpreted as a symbol for various things. It could be a symbol for strength and security as a testament to the persistence of life. It could demonstrate that spring is still there, but only remembered as the oak is not as vibrant or impassioned. While some critics argue it shows the possibility of death and Experience, others argue it shows that Innocence is not a passing phase, but a continuing state of mind & being. Whichever view you align yourself with is for YOU to decide!

The stanza ends with a tone of reminiscing and nostalgia, when the speaker talks about “our youth time” as they remember the joys of their youth in happy identification with the current youth, further creating a sense of harmony between the generations.

Stanza Three

It is typical of the Songs of Innocence to have a subtle mention of Experience; as Blake said, “Without contraries there is no Progression”, and this final stanza drops that Experience bomb.

As evening arrives and the weary children return home, no more sport is seen “On the darkening Green”, alternating from “Ecchoing”. This adopts a slight tone of melancholy, as it may suggest that there comes a time that the children grow out of a state of bliss when their Innocence is replaced by Experience. This may be ominous, or it may simply be a natural change that must be accepted.

It is debatable as to what overarching message Blake wishes to communicate to his reader. Is he trying to show the natural development from youth to old age? Or perhaps he’s presenting an ideal scene that the contemporary society was unable to recreate? Once again, you must come to your own conclusion on this.

The philosopher Richard Swinburne described this poem as:

“Such a fiery outbreak of Spring, such an insurrection of fierce floral life – and radiant riot of childish power and pleasure, no poet or painter ever gave before.”

Whether or not you agree with Swinburne, The Ecchoing Green is the most atypical Song of Innocence and should be mentioned in your essay should the theme of Innocence come up in your exam! I hope these notes help!