When the Green Woods Laugh

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 hills laugh 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 bids laugh in the
shade,
When our table with cherries and
nuts is spread,
Come live & be merry, and join
with me,
To sing the sweet chorus of
“Ha, Ha, He!

— William Blake