Song of America

The Commonplace
by Walt Whitman

The commonplace I sing;
How cheap is health! how cheap nobility!
Abstinence, no falsehood, no gluttony, lust;
The open air I sing, freedom, toleration,
(Take here the mainest lesson -- less from books -- less from the schools,)
The common day and night -- the common earth and waters,
Your farm -- your work, trade, occupation,
The democratic wisdom underneath, like solid ground for all.