Arthur OShaughnessy

Sometimes when something is quoted frequently in many different contexts over an extended period of time it’s considered worthy of note. This excerpt from Arthur O’Shaughnessy’s Ode has been found in hip hop albums, TV cartoons, and even Willy Wonka.  It was written in the mid-1800s and for some reason I’ve been reading a lot of stuff from that era.  Culture from that period of time was much more introspective and unmarred from outside influence.  Not having access to everything seemed to give people a deeper understanding of themselves, their ideals, and personal philosophy.  I’ll shut up now.

 We are the music makers,  
 And we are the dreamers of dreams,  
 Wandering by lone sea-breakers,  
 And sitting by desolate streams;  
 World-losers and world-forsakers,  
 On whom the pale moon gleams:  
 Yet we are the movers and shakers  
 Of the world for ever, it seems.