I Hear America Singing
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 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, 5
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, 10
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.
Making Meanings
I Hear America Singing
1. Imagine what kinds of singing Whitman might hear if he were alive today.
In what ways might these “songs” be different from those he heard in his own
time? In what ways would they be the same as what he heard? Before you answer,
review your Quick write notes.
2. Perhaps what Whitman has in mind here are not the actual work songs
associated with various trades, but something more subtle. What would you say
this poem is really about?
3. A feeling of acceptance, even of contentment, runs throughout the sounds of
these many voices. Considering the long hours and small pay
of laborers in the nineteenth century, would you say Whitman is romanticizing or
idealizing their lot? Or would you say the songs he hears are expressions of
independence and joy in life? Support your response with specific references to
the poem.