'Old Chants' Summary

The first edition of Leaves of Grass was published in 1855 and contained only 12 poems. Whitman continued to revise and expand Leaves of Grass throughout his life, and the final edition, published in 1892, contained nearly 400 poems. Leaves of Grass is considered one of the most important works of American literature, and it has been praised for its originality, its powerful language, and its insights into the human condition.