I Hear Ameica Singing
I hear America Singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of the mechanics, each one signing 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
deckhand 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 noon intermission or at sundown,
The declicious singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of
young fellos, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.
— Walt Whitman. Leaves of Grass. 1891-1892.
