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 the 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 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.
What does Whitman seem to be saying about thw workers of America?
In my oppinion he is saying that each job has a diffenent sound it makes. If you listen to it it may seem like music
Whitman is celebrating the American worker. Their singing represents the vibrancy of their labor and their contribution to our society.
ms.sue is wright i am wrong
In this poem, titled "I Hear America Singing," Walt Whitman celebrates the workers of America and their diverse occupations. He portrays a picture of a nation where every individual, regardless of their profession or social status, takes pride in their work and expresses it through singing.
Whitman's opening line, "I hear America singing," suggests that he is not only hearing the literal sounds of people singing, but also the figurative song of the American spirit. He goes on to describe a range of workers, such as mechanics, carpenters, masons, boatmen, shoemakers, hatters, wood-cutters, ploughboys, and even mothers and young wives engaged in their various tasks. Each worker is depicted as singing their own specific "carol," representing their personal joy, enthusiasm, and dedication towards their work.
The poet emphasizes that each worker sings "as it should be, blithe and strong," indicating the sense of satisfaction and fulfillment they find in their labor. By highlighting the different occupations and the unique songs associated with each, Whitman celebrates the diversity and richness of the American workforce.
Moreover, Whitman recognizes that these workers take pride in their individual contributions. Each person sings "what belongs to him or her, and to none else," recognizing the autonomy and personal identity that comes from their labor. This idea suggests a sense of self-worth and dignity in one's work, regardless of how small or large their role may be.
Through this poem, Whitman pays tribute to the workers of America, acknowledging their industriousness, the value they bring to society, and their collective contribution to the nation's thriving spirit.