Walt Whitman's

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 woodcutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morning,
 
or at 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 him or 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.