The Chimney-Sweeper

• There's little Tom Dacre, who cried when his head, that curled like a lamb's back, was shaved
• Thousands of sweepers, Dick, Joe, Ned and Jack, were all of them locked up in coffins of black
• An angel who had a bright key... opened the coffins and set them all free
• Wash in a river and shine in the sun
• Naked and white, all their bags left behind
• The angel told Tom if he'd be a good boy, he'd have God for his father and never want joy
• If all do their duty, they need not fear harm
• Tom awoke... got with our bags and our brushes to work. Though the morning was cold, Tom was happy and warm
• Big message

  Criticised the church that allow child exploitation in the name of them getting a place in heaven. Children are sentenced to early deaths. Submitting in this life = reward in next. Authority enforce control over the most vulnerable in society - evil.
• Themes

  Church, corruption of religion, suffering of the oppressed, authority figures (the angel), afterlife