# Now Precedent Songs, Farewell explained — Leaves of Grass

> Chapter companion for Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman.

## 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.

## Themes 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters/now-precedent-songs-farewell
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/leaves_of_grass_se/chapters