Poem by Walt Whitman

Leaves of Grass. 1. Inscriptions. 18. 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 of
   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 plowboy'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.

1. Leaves of Grass. 34. Sands at Seventy. 11. The Wallabout Martyrs
2. Leaves of Grass. 5. Calamus. 38. That Shadow My Likeness
3. Leaves of Grass. 20. By the Roadside. 28. Offerings
4. Leaves of Grass. 21. Drum-Taps. 35. How Solemn As One by One [Washington City, 1865]
5. Leaves of Grass. 30. Whispers of Heavenly Death. 5. Yet, Yet, Ye Downcast Hours

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