I HEAR AMERICA SINGING. ( Leaves of Grass (1891–1892)) - The Walt Whitman Archive

On July 4, 1855, in Brooklyn, New York, the first edition of Walt Whitman's book of poems, "Leaves of Grass" was published. A uniquely American book. From the article:

"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."