Leaves of Grass, by Walt Whitman

Leaves of Grass (1867)

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I HEAR AMERICA SINGING.

I HEAR America singing, the varied carols I hear;

Those of mechanics—each one singing his, as it
should be, blithe and strong;

The carpenter singing his, as he measures his plank
or beam,

The mason singing his, as he makes ready for work,
or leaves off work;

The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat
—the deck-hand singing on the steamboat
deck;

The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench—the
hatter singing as he stands;

The wood-cutter's song—the ploughboy's, on his way
in the morning, or at the noon intermission, or
at sundown;

The delicious singing of the mother—or of the young
         wife at work—or of the girl sewing or washing
         —Each singing what belongs to her, and to
         none else;

The day what belongs to the day—At night, the
party of young fellows, robust, friendly,

Singing, with open mouths, their strong melodious
songs.

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