Leaves of Grass, by Walt Whitman

Leaves of Grass (1871-72)

contents | previous | next

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.

contents | previous | next