Laughing Song

Our latest nature poem is Laughing Song, by William Blake. This is a fun little poem about happiness, laughter, and, of course, nature. William Blake was largely ignored while he was alive, but he has been held in very high regard by later critics for his expressiveness and creativity.

Laughing Song

by William Blake

When the green woods laugh with the voice of joy,

And the dimpling stream runs laughing by;

When the air does laugh with our merry wit,

And the green hill laughs with the noise of it;

When the meadows laugh with lively green,

And the grasshopper laughs in the merry scene;

When Mary and Susan and Emily

With their sweet round mouths sing 'Ha ha he!'

When the painted birds laugh in the shade,

Where our table with cherries and nuts is spread:

Come live, and be merry, and join with me,

To sing the sweet chorus of 'Ha ha he!'