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. 10