I Hear America Singing

1I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,

2Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,

3The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,

4The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,

5The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,

6The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,

7The wood-cutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,

8The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,

9Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else

10The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,

11Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.