I Hear America Singing

I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear;

Those of the 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 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 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.

-Walt Whitman