O Captain! My Captain!

by Walt Whitman

　　

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Lamenting the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Walt Whitman's poem was published shortly after Lincoln's death in 1865. It is often first introduced to middle school students, and is cited in a memorable scene from the movie Dead Poets Society (1989) in which students stand up for their teacher, John Keating, played by Robin Williams.

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　　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.

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O Captain! My Captain! was featured as TheShort Story of the Day on Wed, Mar 09, 2022

　　

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This poem is featured in our selection of Poetry for Students, 100 Great Poems, and Civil War Stories.

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