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 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 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. |
