I Hear America Singing

by Walt Whitman

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 and 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 streamboat 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
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.