Walt Whitman
Four Walt Whitman Songs: II. “Oh Captain! My Captain!”
O Captain! My Captain!
Our fearful trip is done
The ship has weather'd every rack
The prize we sought is won
The port is near, the bells I hear
The people all exulting
While follow eyes the steady keel
The vessel grim and daring
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red
Where on the deck my Captain lies
Fallen cold and dead

O Captain! My Captain!
Rise up and hear the bells
Rise up--for you the flag is flung
For you the bugle trills
For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths
For you the shores a-crowding
For you they call, the swaying mass
Their eager faces turning
Here Captain! Dear father!
This arm beneath your head
It is some dream that on the deck
You've fallen cold and dead
My Captain does not answer
His lips are pale and still
My father does not feel my arm
He has no pulse nor will
The ship is anchor'd safe and sound
Its voyage closed and done
From fearful trip, the victor ship
Comes in with object won
Exult, o shores, and ring, o bells!
But I, with mournful tread
Walk the deck my Captain lies
Fallen cold and dead