I Hear America Singing
By Walt Whitman
I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each 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 steam-
boat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench,
the hatter singing as he stands,
The woodcutter’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 the
young wife at work, or the girl sewing or
washing,
Each sings 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.
Walt Whitman’s poem explores the unique contribution of each person to America. Today, there are not many shoemakers or woodcutters around, however we still sing America’s songs. The stuff that makes this country live, breathe, and prosper. In honor of Labor Day, we should all be proud of our role in making this country great. It does not matter what work we do because each job is as important to the whole as another. It only matters that combined–we are one. It is proper, therefore, that we as a nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the architects of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.
Grandmother Musings 2012-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jamie Nowinski – Grandmother Wisdom/Grandmother Musings with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Beautiful!
Thank you, Cher. 😉
Hear, hear! Happy Labor Day.
Happy Labor Day to you, too! 😉
I will allow myself a celebration for my hard work.©
Good for you. 🙂