I Hear America Singing

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.