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.