by Walt Whitman
On the Beach at Night Alone, p. 413: In 1856 this poem appeared as a much longer version entitled “15—Clef Poem.” More than twenty lines were omitted when it was shaped into “Leaves of Grass. 12” in 1860, and it was further truncated when it appeared as “Leaves of Grass. 1” in 1867. It assumed its present title in Passage to India (1871) and was included again in Leaves of Grass of 1881.
Song for All Seas, All Ships, p. 414: The poem was first published in the New York Daily Graphic on April 4, 1873. Along with “Song of the Redwood-Tree,” “Song of the Universal,” and “Song of the Exposition,” it was published in “Centennial Songs,” a separately published cluster annexed to Two Rivulets (1876). It appeared in the “Sea-Drift” section of Leaves of Grass in 1881.
Patroling Barnegat, p. 415: This poem was first included in Leaves of Grass of 1881, though it appeared previously in The American of June 1880.
After the Sea-Ship, p. 415: First published in the New York Daily Graphic of December 1874 as “In the Wake Following,” this poem gained its present title in Two Rivulets (1876). In 1881 it became part of the “Sea-Drift” series in Leaves of Grass.
By the Roadside, p. 417: Whitman devised this title for a cluster of old and new poems in 1881. He wrote the twenty-nine poems at various stages of his journey “down life’s road” (hence, perhaps, the title); “A Boston Ballad” was among the first poems Whitman published, while three others were written for the 1881 edition of Leaves of Grass.
A Boston Ballad (1854), p. 417: See note to “[A Boston Ballad],” p.417.
Europe, The 72d and 73d Years of These States, p. 419: See note to “[Europe, The 72d and 73d Years of These States],” p. 419.
A Hand-Mirror, p. 421: This poem’s title and format remained unchanged from its first appearance in the 1860 edition of Leaves of Grass.
Gods, p. 421: First published in Passage to India (1871), “Gods” also appeared in Leaves of Grass (1876).
Germs, p. 422: Titled “Leaves of Grass. 19” in 1860 and ”Leaves of
Grass. 2” in 1867, the poem was titled “Germs” in 1871.
Thoughts, p. 422: In the 1860 edition of Leaves of Grass, Whitman published a series of seven poems called “Thoughts.” This 1881 poem starts with the first line from “Thoughts. 4” and the last four lines of “Thoughts. 2.” Other poems with this title (including three more in “By the Roadside”) were similarly pulled together—as fluidly and spontaneously, one might say, as thoughts themselves.
When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer, p. 423: First included in Drum-Taps (1865), this poem was part of the “Songs of Parting” cluster in Leaves of Grass of 1871 and 1876. It became part of “By the Roadside” in 1881.
Perfections, p. 423: First appearing in Leaves of Grass (1860), this poem was reprinted in all subsequent editions without revisions.
O Me! O Life!, p. 423: This question-answer poem was first included in Sequel to Drum-Taps (1865-1866). It was included in Leaves of Grass (1881) with very minor revisions.
To a President, p. 424: First printed in the 1860 edition of Leaves of Grass, the poem was originally addressed to James Buchanan, Lincoln’s predecessor. The poem was not included in Drum-Taps or Sequel to Drum-Taps (collections inspired by Lincoln and the Civil War) but reappeared in the 1867 and 1871 editions of Leaves of Grass.
I Sit and Look Out, p. 424: “Leaves of Grass. 17” in 1860, ”Leaves of Grass. 5” in 1867, the poem gained its present title in the 1871 edition of Leaves of Grass.
To Rich Givers, p. 425: Appearing under this title in 1860, the poem was included with minor revisions in 1867, 1871, and 1876, and achieved its final form in 1881.
The Dalliance of the Eagles, p. 425: New to Leaves of Grass in 1881, this poem was published a year earlier in the magazine Cope’s Tobacco Plant.
Roaming in Thought, p. 426: A new poem in the 1881 edition of Leaves of Grass, the poem remained unrevised through Whitman’s lifetime.
A Farm Picture, p. 426: The poem first appeared under the present title, but without the third line, in Drum-Taps (1865). The final line was added for the 1871 edition of Leaves of Grass.
A Child’s Amaze, p. 426: The poem first appeared with its present title in Drum-Taps (1865).
The Runner, p. 426: The poem first appeared in Leaves of Grass in 1867 and was included in all subsequent editions.
Beautiful Women, p. 427: Originally part of the “Debris” cluster, a series of seventeen untitled poems published in the 1860 edition of Leaves of Grass, the poem was entitled “Picture” in 1867 and gained its current title in 1871.
Mother and Babe, p. 427: First published under its current title in Drum-Taps (1865), the poem remained ungrouped until it was included in “By the Roadside” in 1881.
Thought, p. 427: The seventh of the “Thoughts” poem series of 1860, this poem gained its current “singular” title in 1871.
Visor‘d, p. 427: Part of the “Debris” cluster in 1860, these lines gained their present title in 1867.
Thought, p. 427: Originally part of “Thoughts. 4” in the 1860 edition of Leaves of Grass, these lines gained their current title in 1871.
Gliding o‘er All, p. 428: This poem originally appeared untitled and italicized, on the title page of Passage to India (1871). It gained its current title in the 1872 edition.
Hast Never Come to Thee an Hour, p. 428: This poem first appeared in the 1881 edition of Leaves of Grass.
Thought, p. 428: A single line of “Thoughts. 4” in 1860, the poem received its current title in the 1871 edition of Leaves of Grass.
To Old Age, p. 428: First appearing under this title in 1860, the poem was also published in 1867, 1871, 1872, and 1876 before being moved to the “By the Roadside” cluster in 1881.
Locations and Times, p. 428: Originally part of “Sun-down Poem” (the 1856 version of “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry”), this poem became “Leaves of Grass. 23” in 1860 and ”Leaves of Grass. 5” in 1867. It gained its current title in 1871.
Offerings, p. 429: Originally part of the “Debris” cluster of the 1860 edition of Leaves of Grass, this poem was titled “Picture” in 1867 and received its present title in 1871.
To the States, To Identify the 16th, 17th, or 18th Presidentiad, p. 429: This poem was first published under its current title in 1860 and was placed in all subsequent editions.
Drum-Taps, p. 430: This 1881 collection of forty-three poems gathers thirty-eight of its works from either Drum-Taps (1865) or Sequel to Drum-Taps (1865-1866). Only five of the poems were from other collections: “Virginia—The West,” “Not the Pilot,” “Ethiopia Saluting the Colors,” “Delicate Cluster,” and “Adieu to a Soldier.”
First O Songs for a Prelude, p. 430: This poem was originally entitled “Drum Taps” in 1865, taking its first line for its title in 1881. Four lines beginning “Aroused and angry” were placed at the beginning of the poem in 1871 and 1876; these lines were eventually moved to “The Wound-Dresser,” another Drum-Taps poem.
Eighteen Sixty-One, p. 432: In Drum-Taps, the poem was titled “1861.” It gained its present title in the 1881 edition of Leaves of Grass.
Beat! Beat! Drums!, p. 433: Under this title, the poem was originally published in two periodicals (Harper’s Weekly and the New York Leader) on September 28, 1861. It was included in Drum-Taps (1865).
From Paumanok Starting I Fly like a Bird, p. 434: The poem has maintained this title since its first appearance in Drum-Taps (1865).
Song of the Banner at Daybreak, P. 435: The poem was published under this title in Drum-Taps (1865).
Rise O Days from Your Fathomless Deeps, p. 441: The poem’s title remains the same as in 1865. It became part of the “Drum-Taps” annex in the 1867 edition of Leaves of Grass, and the “Drum-Taps” clusters of 1871 and 1881.
Virginia—The West, p. 444: First published in the Kansas Magazine of March 1872, the poem was part of As a Strong Bird on Pinions Free, an 1872 collection that was integrated into the 1881 edition of Leaves of Grass as “Thy Mother
with Thy Equal Brood.” Whitman moved “Virginia—The West” to “Drum-Taps” in this edition.
City of Ships, p. 444: First appearing in Drum-Taps (1865), the poem was part of the “Drum-Taps” annex in the 1867 edition of Leaves of Grass, and the “Drum-Taps” clusters of 1871 and 1881.
The Centenarian’s Story, p. 445: The poem’s title and original form were preserved from 1865 through all subsequent editions.
Cavalry Crossing a Ford, p. 449: The 1865 title remained unchanged in following editions.
Bivouac on a Mountain Side, p. 450: The 1865 title remained unchanged, and the poem was subject to minor revisions through following editions.
An Army Corps on the March, p. 450: Originally entitled “An Army on the March,” the poem was included in Sequel to Drum-Taps (1865-1866). It received its present title in the 1871 edition of Leaves of Grass.
By the Bivouac’s Fitful Flame, p. 451: The title and poem are unchanged from their first appearance in Drum-Taps (1865).
Come Up from the Fields Father, p. 451: Title remained unchanged from its first appearance in 1865. The poem remains one of the most anthologized in the Drum-Taps series.
Vigil Strange I Kept on the Field One Night, p. 453: The title remained unchanged from its first appearance in 1865; the poem received minor revisions in following editions.
A March in the Ranks Hard-prest, and the Road Unknown, p. 454: The poem’s title remained unchanged from its first version in 1865-
A Sight in Camp in the Daybreak Gray and Dim, p. 455: Entitled “A Sight in Camp in the Day-Break Grey and Dim” when it first appeared in 1865, the poem had numbered stanzas through the 1871 edition of Leaves of Grass.
As Toilsome I Wander’d Virginia’s Woods, p. 456: The title and poem itself remain unchanged since their first appearance in Drum-Taps (1865).
Not the Pilot, p. 457: Originally part of the “Debris” cluster in the 1860 edition of Leaves of Grass, it was given its current title in 1867 and put into the “Drum-Taps” cluster in Leaves of Grass (1871).
Year That Trembled and Reel’d Beneath Me, p. 457: The poem and title remain unchanged since their first appearance in Drum-Taps (1865).
The Wound-Dresser, p. 457: Entitled “The Dresser” in 1865, the poem received its current title in the 1876 “Centennial” Edition of Leaves of Grass.
Long, Too Long America, p. 460: Originally entitled “Long, Too Long, O Land” in 1865, the poem gained its current title in 1881.
Give Me the Splendid Silent Sun, p. 461: The poem retains its 1865 title and form.
Dirge for Two Veterans, p. 462: First appearing in Sequel to Drum-Taps (1865-1866), the poem was subject to only minor revisions in punctuation through subsequent editions.
Over the Carnage Rose Prophetic a Voice, p. 464: This poem (along with “For You O Democracy,” a Calamus poem from 1867 to 1881) has its roots in “Calamus. 5” from the 1860 edition of Leaves of Grass. It gained its current title when it was revised and included in Drum-Taps (1865).
I Saw Old General at Bay, p. 465: The poem preserves its original 1865 title; Whitman made only minor revisions to punctuation through subsequent editions.
The Artilleryman’s Vision, p. 465: Originally entitled “The Veteran’s Vision” in 1865, the poem gained its current title in 1871. For the most part, Whitman made only minor alterations to the poem’s punctuation through subsequent editions.
Ethiopia Saluting the Colors, p. 466: Originally subtitled “A Reminiscence of 1864,” this poem was first published in the 1871 edition of Leaves of Grass. It was placed in the “Drum-Taps” cluster in 1881.
Not Youth Pertains to Me, p. 467: The poem retains its 1865 title, though in 1871 the last two lines were revised from: “[Intervals] I have strung together a few songs, / Fit for war, and the life of the camp.
Race of Veterans, p. 467: First included in Sequel to Drum-Taps (1865-1866), the poem has kept its original title and form, with minor revisions in punctuation.
World Take Good Notice, p. 468: Originally “World, Take Good Notice,” this poem retains its 1865 title and content; only the number of line 3 was altered from “thirty-six,” reflecting the addition of two states to the union.
O Tan-faced Prairie-Boy, p. 468: The poem retains its 1865 title and most of its original form, with minor revisions to punctuation.
Look Down Fair Moon, p. 468: The poem carries its 1865 title. Only minor revisions in punctuation were made through subsequent editions.
Reconciliation, p. 468: Originally included in Sequel to Drum-Taps (1865-1866), the poem retains its original title and most of its original wording.
How Solemn as One by One, p. 469: Originally included in Sequel to Drum-Taps (1865-1866), the poem gained its subtitle in 1871.
As I Lay with My Head In Your Lap Camerado, p. 469: First included in Sequel to Drum-Taps (1865-1866), the poem gained one major revision in 1871: two lines originally included after line 4 were omitted: “Indeed I am myself the real soldier; / It is not he, there, with his bayonet, and not the red-striped artillery- man”.
Delicate Cluster, p. 470: The poem as titled first appeared in the 1871 edition of Leaves of Grass and was placed in the “Drum-Taps” cluster of Leaves of Grass (1881).
To a Certain Civilian, p. 470: Entitled “Did You Ask Dulcet Rhymes from Me?” in 1865, the poem gained its current title (and four additional lines to its original six) in Passage to India (1871). In 1881 it was included in the “Drum-Taps” cluster of Leaves of Grass.
Lo, Victress on the Peaks, p. 471: Originally included in Sequel to Drum-Taps (1865-1866) as “Lo! Victress on the Peaks!”, the poem gained its present, calmer title in 1876.
Spirit Whose Work Is Done, p. 471: Originally included in Sequel to Drum-Taps (1865-1866), the poem gained its subtitle in 1871.
Adieu to a Soldier, p. 472: First published in 1871, the poem was included in the “Drum-Taps” cluster of Leaves of Grass (1881).
Turn O Libertad, p. 473: Originally included under its present title in Drum-Taps (1865), the poem was subject to minor revisions through subsequent editions.
To the Leaven’d Soil They Trod, p. 473: The final poem in the “Drum-Taps” cluster since its first appearance in Sequel to Drum-Taps (1865-1866).
Memories of President Lincoln, p. 475: While the previous cluster, “Drum-Taps,” focuses on the theme of the Civil War, the four poems comprising the cluster “Memories of President Lincoln” all make explicit mention of Whitman’s hero, Abraham Lincoln. These poems here were first grouped as “President Lincoln’s Burial Hymn” in Passage to India (1871) and became known as “Memories of President Lincoln” in 1881.
When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom‘d, p. 475: This great elegy to Lincoln was first included in Sequel to Drum-Taps (1865-1866). Minor changes in punctuation and word choice were made in subsequent editions, with the exception of one particular revision near the end of the poem (see endnote 70 to the “Death-bed” Edition). Some minor revisions were made to the poem for the 1871 and 1881 publications.
O Captain! My Captain!, p. 484: Published in the New York Saturday Press on November 4, 1865, the poem appeared in Sequel to Drum-Taps (1865-1866) and Passage to India (1871) and the annex of the same title in 1876.
Hush’d Be the Camps To-Day, p. 485: When the poem was first published in Drum-Taps (1865), the subtitle read: “A. L. Buried April 19, 1865.” He corrected the erroneous date in the 1871 edition of Passage to India.
This Dust Was Once the Man, p. 485: First published in Passage to India (1871), this poem was not revised in its 1871, 1876, and 1881 publications.
By Blue Ontario’s Shore, p. 485: In Leaves of Grass (1856) this poem was “8—Poem of Many in One.” For the 1860 edition Whitman changed the title to “Chants Democratic. 1”; it appeared in the 1867 annex “Songs before Parting” as “As I Sat Alone by Blue Ontario’s Shore” and gained its present title in 1881. Stanza numbers were added in 1860, section numbers in 1867. The form of the poem was much revised through these edit
ions, and a good portion of its original 280 lines was taken from (or inspired by) the 1855 “[Preface].”
Reversals, p. 501: These six lines have their origin in a fifty-seven-line poem entitled “Poem of the Proposition of Nakedness” first published in 1856. In 1860 the poem became “Chants Democratic. 5”; in 1867, 1871, and 1876 it was retitled “Respondez.” The poem took its final form and title in 1881.
Autumn Rivulets, p. 502: This cluster was new to the 1881 edition of Leaves of Grass, though most of the poems were previously published in earlier editions or periodicals.
As Consequent, Etc., p. 502: This introductory poem is one of the few in “Autumn Rivulets” that is new to the 1881 edition of Leaves of Grass (though some lines were taken from the 1876 poems “Two Rivulets” and “Or from That Sea of Time”).