‘The Little Black Boy’ is drawn from the ‘Songs of Innocence’. The lyrics composing the ‘Songs of Innocence’ have the stamp of pastoral innocence and an inspired note of truth and conviction. This poem thus breathes a spirit of innocence, joy and harmony. He looked as black as though he was deprived of light. The mother of this black boy bore him in the wild and backward settlements of the South of the United States of America. Even though his body is black, the boy knows that his soul is white and that he is not essentially different from an English boy who is white. There is a close bond between the child and nature, the mother and the child and the pervading imagery of love, innocence and joy.
Each day his mother would take him beneath a tree and made him sit on her lap and before teaching him anything, she would kiss him. Throughout the heat of the day both would interact with each other in the most sacred of conversations. His pious mother has taught him about the Lord who gives both light and heat and everything we see on this earth. Each morning she would point towards the east and both would watch the sun rise. The East is believed to be the residence of God. Through the sun, God gives His light and heat away in which all the flowers, trees, beast and men receive. The sun according to the boy’s mother provides comfort in the morning and joy in the afternoon. She has taught him that in God’s eyes there is no difference between a black boy and a white boy, the bodies being immaterial and God’s love being universal.
God has put all of us mortal human beings here on earth for a little while that we may learn the true implications of god-like love towards each other. Hence the black bodies and sun burnt face of the boy and his mother are like a dark cloud and a shady grove. If we love each other and bear ourselves with understanding and compassion, we will be called to God’s presence when all distinctions will have gone and will rejoice around him like laments.
The lesson that the mother provides for her little son ends each time with an affectionate kiss. The little black boy has finally regained his confidence and is bold enough to tell the white little English boy that they are both clouds-like spirit comming from different coloured background. Like two little lambs of different colours, they can sing and dance with joy around the tent of God in Heaven.
The little black boy promised to take care of the little white English boy and protect him from the scorching heat of the sun till he himself learn to bear it for himself. Both shall prostrate before The Father in Heaven's knees. Then he would stand and stroke the Father's silvery hair and he would be like the Father and be loved by Him.