Sing a Song of People Poem Summary Notes and Line by Line Explanation in English Class 5th

Introduction 

The poem, called ‘Sing a Song of People’ describes our fast-paced lifestyle. It reveals how hurried everyone is. It explains how everyone is rushing around, whether they are in an elevator or the train. Even when it rains, the movement continues. People scurry to get into taxis. Furthermore, it illustrates how even individuals going alone eventually become a part of a large group of people. The poem then continues by describing the various human behaviours.

About The Poet

Picture book author and illustrator Lois Lenore Lenski Covey (October 14, 1893 – September 11, 1974), winner of the Newbery Medal, was a pioneer in the field of children’s literature. Her writings for children include picture books, chapter books with illustrations, songbooks, poems, short stories.

Theme Of The Poem

This poem explains how everyone is in a rush these days. They are in a rush no matter where they are. They move quickly between locations. There are many different kinds of individuals around, and the poem also describes some of them.

Poem 

Sing a song of people

Walking fast or slow;

People in the city,

Up and down they go.

The poet describes how people in the city are walking both quickly and slowly, some going to work and some walking leisurely, some needing to be somewhere at a certain time, and some wandering wherever they want.

People on the side walk,

People on the bus;

People passing, passing,

In back and front of us.

The poet claims that there are people practically everywhere in the second stanza. On the street are people walking, on the bus are people traveling from one place to another, and in front and behind us are people moving from one place to another.

People on the subway

Underneath the ground;

People riding taxis

Round and round and round.

The poet claims that there are people using a variety of forms of transportation in the third stanza, including people riding the subway and those traveling underground. There are individuals on the street moving around in cabs.

People with their hats on,

Going in the doors;

People with umbrellas

When it rains and pours.

The poet describes how individuals wearing hats stroll from one door to another and how, when it rains, people walk around holding various umbrellas in the fourth verse.

People in tall buildings

And in stores below;

Riding elevators

Up and down they go.

The poet states in the fifth verse that there are people who live in towering buildings and that everyone who has a business there must use an elevator to go up and down.

People walking singly,

People in a crowd;

People saying nothing,

People talking loud.

The poet claims that many types of individuals can be found outside, some of whom are quite noisy while others remain silent amid groups. 

People laughing, smiling,

Grumpy people too;

People who just hurry

And never look at you!

The poet claims in the seventh verse that there are many different types of people outdoors, a few of whom are cheerful, giggling, smiling, and excited, while others are unhappy and depressed, and yet others are rushing to go somewhere.

Sing a song of people

Who like to come and go;

Sing of city people

You see but never know!

The poet claims that you may see the people moving about you in the eighth stanza. You see them everywhere, and you might even say hello to a few of them, but you will never get to recognize all the inhabitants of the city.