"Little Lamb Who Made Thee?"

This wonderful poem doesn't just describe what a lamb looks like; it explores what a lamb could mean for someone like William Blake, the author, who had religious beliefs.

I live in a village in Devon, in the UK, and the first lambs of the year are just appearing in local fields.

Can you work out what the lamb represents for William Blake?

The Lamb

Little Lamb who made thee 

         Dost thou know who made thee 

Gave thee life & bid thee feed. 

By the stream & o'er the mead;

Gave thee clothing of delight,

Softest clothing wooly bright;

Gave thee such a tender voice,

Making all the vales rejoice! 

         Little Lamb who made thee 

         Dost thou know who made thee 

         Little Lamb I'll tell thee,

         Little Lamb I'll tell thee!

He is called by thy name,

For he calls himself a Lamb: 

He is meek & he is mild, 

He became a little child: 

I a child & thou a lamb, 

We are called by his name.

         Little Lamb God bless thee. 

         Little Lamb God bless thee.