Seems as if this portrays his irregularity - for him to be the single object standing out form the whiteness of the snow, it portrays how (as his childhood should be full of nature - like in part of the dream in Songs of Innocence) nature has no part in his life, but he stays working in the darkness

another criticism of religion - as in the same poem from Songs of Innocence, Blake criticizes how religion is taking away from the boys life, rather than adding any good meaning to it. It keep his parents away, and just as his parents have taken enjoyment out of his misery, God has done the same to the world

singing is (typically) a cheerful thing to think of - typical with the manual labour jobs of singing for entertainment - the boy doesn't sing songs of entertainment but rather of pain and sorrow

Because he was experiencing a normal childhood, his parents took that away from him - sending him to his deathbed for a small profit

This can be reflective of how the boys parents are taking advantage of him, forcing him to work; pretending what they are doing is good when the boy is suffering

Interesting rhyme scheme with weep, sweep, and sleep. The use of both weep and sweep so close together seem as if the two have merged together, like a tongue twister that you're bound to mess up at some point. The use of these two words 'merging' demonstrates that at his young age where he was still crying, he started sweeping chimneys

to "shine" in the sun sounds like they are the best versions of themselves when they are experiencing something that they never have before. That they're glowing, or radiating happiness, comparative to their actual state in which they're covered in soot and in the darkness of chimneys

referencing us as the readers

biblical reference; the sacrificing of his hair (as lambs were sacrificed) in order to maintain the purity held in his hair and not be damaged by his work

If he fulfills his duty as he works his job, he will have God and will only need God; aiming towards salvation from the troubles in their lives - this shows that the boys turn to religion in hopes that it will provide some sort of release for them, but even God won't save them from their laborious misery.

Not only roses, but the colour red is often associated with purity and virginity. These symbols and ideas tie back to the Virgin Mary.

The word "spent" plays a large role in these few lines; Herrick not only monetizes time but age as well. Every day time is spent and when you are young you are in your riches, but as you grow old you become poor in time. It also seems to portray this role that if you 'spend' your youth, but the more you 'spend' it, the worse it gets and the older you become.