America is Singing

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.