Leaves of Grass · Chapter
Now Precedent Songs, Farewell explained
The poet bids farewell to his earlier works, listing many of his famous poems and reflecting on the personal, lived experience behind each utterance—rooted in life, death, war, and the nation's fate.
What happens
The poet bids farewell to his earlier works, listing many of his famous poems and reflecting on the personal, lived experience behind each utterance—rooted in life, death, war, and the nation's fate.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the speaker fully internalizes the world’s suffering, feeling…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Individuality and Self
The poet emphasizes the personal, bodily origin of his songs—'from fibre heart of mine—from throat and tongue—(My life’s hot pulsing blood).'
- Death and Immortality
The songs are tied to 'life or death' and the enduring legacy of the poet's utterances.
Characters to notice
- Narrator
The speaker reflects on his own life's blood and personal urge behind each song.
- Walt Whitman
Implied as the author of the listed poems, bidding farewell to his precedent songs.
- My Captain
Referenced in the poem title 'Captain! My Captain!'
- Paumanok
Listed among the precedent songs as 'Paumanok.'
- America
Referenced through 'country's loss or safety' and 'Thou Mother with thy Equal Brood.'
Key passages
“Now precedent songs, farewell—by every name farewell, (Trains of a staggering line in many a strange procession, wagons, From ups and downs—with intervals—from elder years, mid-age, or youth,)”
I now say goodbye to all my earlier poems, each with its own long history and varied origins.
The poet lists his works and acknowledges their diverse sources across his lifetime.
“From fibre heart of mine—from throat and tongue—(My life’s hot pulsing blood, The personal urge and form for me—not merely paper, automatic type and ink,)”
These songs came from my very being, not just from mechanical writing.
Whitman insists on the deeply personal, bodily origin of his poetry.
