OTR+Connection

I think de Toqueville was amazed at the hope that he saw in the American people. There is an undeniable need to believe the best in people and to believe that we all can achieve what we choose. It is what Whitman celebrated: Walt Whitman (1819–1892). Leaves of Grass. 1900. 91. I Hear America Singing

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; 5 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 [|Leaves of Grass]. 1900. In 1855 Whitman published //Leaves of Grass// (later known as //Song of Myself//) in which the author proclaims himself the symbolic representative of common people. Back to the museum