In American Literature class, PVS students read Whitman’s “I Hear America Singing,” then they wrote their own response. Students considered what they hear singing.
Here is Whitman’s original version:
I HEAR AMERICA SINGING
Walt Whitman, 1819~1892
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 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 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.
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Here is Senior Jackie Sutton’s response:
I , too, hear America singing.
The crowd singing as they enjoy a wonderful night at the ballpark.
The trial attorney singing as she studies the case.
The juror singing as she waits for jury duty to start.
The broadcaster singing as he gathers up the previous stats before the game.
The CrossFit coach singing as he encourages the athletes during the WOD.
The CrossFitter singing as she tries to push through the difficult WOD.
Some of these songs I hear every day.
“Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else.”
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