Whitman creates an almost lyrical poem to help his readers understand that Lincoln, as a great man, will go down in history followed by lyric and song, just as a sailor sings songs about his ship and captain. Whitman is asking his readers to take pride in Lincoln and his accomplishments as well as the fact that everyone has the power to create and destroy and that the U.S., post Civil War, is a place of much potential. The stanzas also reflect a song or lyric, as Whitman may have expected his poem to be turned into a song or some sort of patriotic verse. It is metered like a song, and this meter is meant to capture the hope, praise, and great relief; while at the same time acting as a final farewell.

The melancholy of the poem also speaks to Whitman's personal sadness over Lincoln's death. He is...
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