Ode
Arthur O'Shaughnessy
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Background
Background
Arthur O'Shaughnessy was an British poet and herpetologist. He described six new species of reptiles at the British Museum's zoological department and after his death, was honored by having four new species of lizards named oshaughnessyi after him. O'Shaughnessy was born in London on March 14, 1844 and died in London on January 30, 1881.
Poem and Annotations
Poem and Annotations
We are the music-makers,And we are the dreamers of dreams,Wandering by lone sea-breakersAnd sitting by desolate streams;World losers and world forsakers,On whom the pale moon gleams:Yet we are the movers and shakersOf the world for ever, it seems.
With wonderful deathless dittiesWe build up the world’s great cities.And out of a fabulous storyWe fashion an empire’s glory:One man with a dream, at pleasure,Shall go forth and conquer a crown;And three with a new song’s measureCan trample an empire down.
We, in the ages lyingIn the buried past of the earth,Built Nineveh with our sighing,And Babel itself with our mirth;And o’erthrew them with prophesyingTo the old of the new world’s worth;For each age is a dream that is dying,Or one that is coming to birth.
With wonderful deathless dittiesWe build up the world’s great cities.And out of a fabulous storyWe fashion an empire’s glory:One man with a dream, at pleasure,Shall go forth and conquer a crown;And three with a new song’s measureCan trample an empire down.
We, in the ages lyingIn the buried past of the earth,Built Nineveh with our sighing,And Babel itself with our mirth;And o’erthrew them with prophesyingTo the old of the new world’s worth;For each age is a dream that is dying,Or one that is coming to birth.
Analysis
Analysis
"Ode" is a poem about empowering uninspired people. In the poem, O'Shaughnessy looks to the past for examples of the power and influence that mere citizens have. He describes feats such as the Tower of Babel and empires of glory. People have more power than they think, and if put to good use, the words and actions of the people can do anything. Many people might feel useless or purposeless, but don't realize the impact they can have on the society around them. If they would just change their perspective from inward to outward, they could make a difference with their voice. The tone of this poem is empowering and rebellious.
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