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"Desiderata"(Latin: 'things desired') is a 1927 prose poem by the American writer Max Ehrmann. The text was widely distributed in poster form in the 1960s and 1970s.

History

[edit]

Max Ehrmann of Terre Haute, Indiana, started writing the work in 1921,[citation needed] but he did not assign it a title. He registered for his U.S. copyright in 1927 using the poem's first phrase as its title. The April 5, 1933, issue of Michigan Tradesman magazine published the full, original text on its cover, crediting Ehrmann as its author. In 1933, he distributed the poem in the form of a Christmas card,[1] now officially titled "Desiderata."[2]

Psychiatrist Merrill Moore distributed more than 1,000 unattributed copies to his patients and soldiers during World War II.[1] After Ehrmann died in 1945, his widow published the work in 1948 in The Poems of Max Ehrmann. The 1948 version was in the form of one long prose paragraph, so earlier and later versions were presumably also in that form.[1][3]

The Reverend Frederick Kates distributed about 200 unattributed copies as devotional materials for his congregation at Old Saint Paul's Church, Baltimore during 1959 or 1960.[1][3] The papers mentioned the church's foundation date of 1692, which has caused many to falsely assume that the date is that of the poem's origination.[4][5]

The text was widely distributed in poster form in the 1960s and 1970s, often with the incorrect date of 1692.[6] It was first partitioned into a few subparagraphs separated by "distinctive spacing figures" in 1970 by Pro Arts and Crescendo Publishers.[7] Later, it was divided into four or more subparagraphs separated by new lines in DePauw University's Mirage for 1978[8] and in the July/August 1999 issue of The Saturday Evening Post.[9] In some versions, almost all instances of "and" are replaced by ampersands.[10] Other versions change "the noise and the haste" to "the noise and haste" and change "be cheerful" to "be careful," notably in the 1971 spoken-word recording by Les Crane.[11]

[edit]
1927 copyright registration

Ehrmann's widow renewed the copyright in 1954.[12] In 1967, Robert L. Bell acquired the publishing rights from Bruce Humphries Publishing Company, and then bought the copyright from Richard Wright, nephew and heir to the Ehrmann work.[13]

In August 1971, the poem was published in Success Unlimited magazine without permission from Bell. In a 1975 lawsuit against the magazine's publisher Combined Registry Co., the court ruled that copyright had been forfeited because the poem had been authorized for publication without a copyright notice in 1933 and 1942, meaning that the poem was therefore in the public domain. The ruling was upheld by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals but was denied consideration by the Supreme Court.[1][14][15] However, Bell refused to recognize the ruling. As the decision was only valid in the appeals court's jurisdiction of Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin, Bell continued to litigate in other jurisdictions, seeking removal of the poem from offending publications or payment of royalties.[16][17]

The poem is now officially in the public domain throughout the U.S., as written works registered before 1928 entered the public domain in 2023.[18]

Significant usages of the poem

[edit]
  • A Spanish-language recording by Mexican actor Arturo Benavides topped the Mexican charts for six weeks in 1972.[19]
  • In 1971, Fred Werner (American composer) wrote the music and the talk show host and actor Les Crane recorded a spoken-word version of the poem as the lead track on the album Desiderata.[20] His producers had assumed that the poem was too old to be copyrighted, but the publicity surrounding the record led to clarification of Ehrmann's authorship and the eventual payment of royalties. Crane and Werner's version peaked in the United States at no. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in November 1971.[21] The following month, it reached no. 4 in both Australia and Canada.[22][23] The song reached no. 7 in the UK singles chart in February 1972 [24]
  • In 2010, Ehrmann's hometown of Terre Haute, Indiana, unveiled a bronze statue by Bill Wolfe of Ehrmann sitting on a park bench.[25]
  • Following his government's loss of majority in the 1972 Canadian federal election, prime minister Pierre Trudeau reassured the nation by quoting Desiderata: "Whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should."[26]
  • In a 1982 episode of The Professionals titled "Discovered in a Graveyard", a framed copy is found in Ray Doyle's apartment and is read aloud by George Cowley.[27]
  • In a 2012 interview on Oprah Winfrey's Master Class television special, actor Morgan Freeman explained how deeply the poem had shaped his life.[28]
  • When former Illinois governor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Adlai Stevenson died in 1965, a copy of the poem was found near his bedside, as he had planned to use it in his Christmas cards. This discovery contributed further to the poem's popularity.[4]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Desiderata

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Desiderata is a prose poem written in 1927 by , an American poet and lawyer born in , to German immigrant parents. The title, derived from Latin, translates to "things desired" or "things to be desired," reflecting its content as a series of aphoristic guidelines for achieving and harmony in daily life. The poem opens with the famous line, "Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence," and proceeds to advise on , to others, avoiding loud and aggressive persons, and maintaining in the face of life's uncertainties. Though copyrighted and privately printed in limited quantities by Ehrmann in 1927, the work remained obscure during his lifetime until after his death in 1945. Its popularity surged in the and , spurred by a 1956 church bulletin reproduction that omitted attribution, leading to widespread misconceptions that it was an ancient text from St. Paul's Church in dating to 1692 or an unattributed 15th-century document. By the late , Desiderata had become a countercultural , appearing on posters, cards, and in inspirational anthologies, and it achieved commercial success when spoken-word Les recorded a version in 1970 that reached number eight on the chart in 1971. Today, it endures as a timeless piece of philosophical literature, often cited for its universal wisdom on and resilience.

Background

Author

Max Ehrmann was born on September 26, 1872, in Terre Haute, Indiana, to German immigrant parents, Maximilian Ehrmann Sr. and Margaret Barbara Lutz Ehrmann, who had emigrated from Bavaria. As the fifth and youngest child in a family of limited means, Ehrmann grew up in a close-knit German-American community in Terre Haute, where his early exposure to Methodist teachings and local culture shaped his introspective worldview. He remained a lifelong resident of the city until his death on September 9, 1945, at the age of 72, after a period of declining health. Ehrmann pursued higher education with determination, attending in , from 1890 to 1894, where he graduated and served as editor of the student newspaper, DePauw Weekly. He then spent two years in graduate studies at , focusing on philosophy and law, attending lectures by prominent thinkers such as and , though he did not earn a degree. Returning to Terre Haute in 1898, Ehrmann served as Deputy State's Attorney in Vigo County for two years before shifting his primary focus to writing, viewing it as his true calling despite financial challenges. This dual path allowed him to balance legal work with literary pursuits, establishing him as both an attorney and an emerging poet in his community. Throughout his career, Ehrmann was a prolific author, producing more than 20 books, pamphlets, essays, and poems published in newspapers and magazines, often exploring themes of , , and . Notable works include his poem "A " (first published c. 1903), which gained early recognition when a framed copy was displayed at the 1904 and later entered the , and the collection The Poems of Max Ehrmann (1910). He actively participated in Terre Haute's intellectual scene, contributing papers to the local Terre Haute Literary Club, such as one on "The Pessimism of Schopenhauer," and fostering connections among regional writers. Ehrmann's drive for inspirational writing stemmed from a personal aspiration recorded in his journal around the time of Desiderata's creation: "I should like, if I could, to leave a humble gift—a bit of chaste that had caught up some noble moods." This motivation reflected his desire to offer enduring, uplifting contributions to humanity amid his modest literary success.

Composition

Max Ehrmann, a and attorney based in , began composing the prose poem "Desiderata" in 1921, initially leaving it untitled as a personal endeavor. He worked on it intermittently over the following several years, drawing from his own introspective considerations of life guidance and virtues essential for navigating modern existence. This reflective process was rooted in influences from Stoic philosophy, which emphasizes resilience and ethical living amid adversity, and the humanistic ideals of the early that promoted individual dignity and rational self-improvement. Ehrmann's inspiration for the work stemmed from a diary entry expressing his aspiration to offer a modest legacy of in an he perceived as chaotic, stating, "I should like, if I could, to leave a humble —a bit of chaste that had caught up some noble moods." Upon completion in 1927, he did not seek immediate publication but instead privately circulated copies among close friends and acquaintances in Terre Haute, distributing them as an unsigned to share its informally. This limited reflected Ehrmann's modest intentions, allowing the piece to exist initially as a personal artifact rather than a . In 1927, Ehrmann formalized his authorship by registering the poem with the U.S. Copyright Office through his imprint, the Publishing Company, receiving certificate number 962402 on January 3 (initially untitled or under its opening line). This registration affirmed the work as his original creation, protecting it legally while he continued to share it selectively in private contexts, such as holiday cards to associates. The copyright step marked a deliberate assertion of , contrasting with the poem's humble, advisory origins.

Publication History

Initial Publications

The prose poem Desiderata was first formally registered for copyright by its author, , in 1927 with the , marking its initial legal though it saw no widespread at that time. Shortly after its creation, Ehrmann produced and sold a limited number of autographed prints and cards featuring the poem, achieving only modest local circulation among personal networks in , without broader commercial reach. The poem's debut in print occurred on April 5, 1933, when the full text appeared as a featured item on the cover of Michigan Tradesman, a trade publication with regional distribution among business professionals, yet it garnered little national attention or sales. That same year, Ehrmann personally distributed copies of Desiderata as an unsigned to friends and acquaintances, omitting any and further limiting its visibility to informal, non-commercial sharing. Following Ehrmann's death in September 1945, his widow, Bertha K. Ehrmann, compiled and edited a posthumous titled The Desiderata of Happiness: A Collection of Philosophical Poems, published in by Crown Publishers, which included Desiderata alongside other works for the first time in book form. This edition, printed in a small run, received minimal promotion and commercial success, remaining largely overlooked by the literary public during the late .

Rise to Popularity

The poem experienced a notable revival in the through its use in church readings and inspirational distributions. In 1956, Reverend Frederick Kates, the rector of Old St. Paul's Episcopal Church in , included "Desiderata" in a collection of prose passages he compiled for his congregation, mistakenly noting that it had been found in the church and dated to 1692—the year of the church's founding—which inadvertently fueled a widespread about its origins. This church-based dissemination helped reintroduce the work to a broader audience after decades of obscurity following its initial limited publications in the 1930s. "Desiderata" surged in popularity during the movement, becoming a staple of the era's emphasis on , , and amid social upheaval. It was mass-produced on posters, pamphlets, and broadsheets, often circulated in communities and college campuses as an inspirational manifesto, with reproductions frequently carrying the erroneous attribution to an anonymous 1692 author discovered at Old St. Paul's Church in . This viral spread aligned the poem with the "make , not " , transforming it from a niche piece into a cultural touchstone. By the , the poem's dissemination had reached extraordinary scale, with millions of copies sold in various print formats including books, posters, and greeting cards, propelled by the ongoing hippie movement and the burgeoning genre that sought accessible wisdom for personal growth. The work's timeless counsel on resonated deeply, cementing its status as one of the most widely shared pieces of inspirational of the 20th century.

Content and Themes

Structure and Form

Desiderata is a poem originally presented in a single continuous paragraph, often divided into multiple paragraphs in later s. It is composed in without rhyme or meter, which allows for a fluid, conversational flow that prioritizes content over traditional poetic constraints. This form eschews stanzaic divisions or rhythmic patterns in its original, presenting the text as continuous punctuated by natural breaks, emphasizing its role as an extended rather than a lyrical verse. The overall length contributes to a measured pacing, enabling the reader to absorb each segment deliberately without the urgency of metered lines. Line counts vary by formatting (typically 30-50 lines). The poem adopts an imperative tone through consistent second-person address, directly instructing the reader with phrases like "Go placidly amid the noise and haste" and "You are a of the ," fostering an intimate, advisory relationship that draws the into personal reflection. This direct engagement creates a sense of immediacy, as if the words are spoken personally to each individual, enhancing the poem's motivational impact. Repetitive phrasing, such as the emphatic "Speak your truth quietly and clearly," reinforces core directives, building rhetorical weight through without relying on for memorability. Ehrmann employs formal, elevated language with terms like "," "," and "" to evoke a timeless , blending with a slightly antiquated tone that lends to the . The progression of ideas mirrors this stylistic restraint, starting with practical guidance on daily interactions and personal discipline before expanding to a universal outlook on and serenity. This gradual escalation in scope—from the immediate and earthly to the philosophical and cosmic—provides a logical , guiding the reader toward a holistic sense of equilibrium without abrupt shifts.

Key Themes and Interpretation

Desiderata emphasizes the pursuit of as a foundational principle for navigating life's challenges, advising readers to "go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what there may be in ." This theme underscores the importance of maintaining composure in a chaotic world, promoting serenity as an active choice rather than a passive state, which fosters emotional resilience amid external turmoil. The poem further advocates by encouraging individuals to recognize their inherent worth without comparison, as exemplified in the directive to avoid and to embrace one's unique place in existence. Harmony with others forms another core theme, urging gentle interactions and mutual respect, such as being "on good terms with all persons" while speaking truth "quietly and clearly" and listening even to those who seem dull or ignorant. It warns against the influence of "loud and aggressive persons," recommending instead the cultivation of inner strength to preserve personal equilibrium. Quiet spaces for reflection are highlighted as essential for introspection, allowing individuals to connect with their deeper selves away from societal pressures. The poem's broader cosmic outlook portrays humanity as interconnected with the , affirming that "you are a of the , no less than the trees and the stars," which instills a sense of and wonder despite the world's imperfections. This perspective extends to a spiritual dimension, urging peace with ", whatever you conceive Him to be," and affirming that "no doubt the is unfolding as it should," promoting a sense of divine or cosmic harmony. This perspective encourages viewing life holistically, finding beauty in its "sham, drudgery, and broken dreams." In contemporary interpretations, Desiderata resonates as a Stoic guide to enduring adversity with and a practice for present-moment awareness, influencing literature by promoting authenticity and compassionate living. Max Ehrmann registered the copyright for Desiderata with the on January 3, 1927, under the title "Go Placidly Amid the Noise and Haste," assigning it the registration number 962402. Upon Ehrmann's death in 1945, the copyright passed to his , K. Ehrmann, who renewed it on January 4, 1954, under the provisions of the U.S. Copyright Act of 1909. Following Bertha Ehrmann's death in 1962, the copyright was inherited by her nephew, Richmond D. Wight. In 1971, Wight assigned the copyright to Robert L. Bell, proprietor of Crescendo Publishing Company, who thereafter managed its enforcement and licensing. Bell's management involved pursuing legal action against unauthorized reproductions amid the poem's growing popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including widespread distribution in posters, pamphlets, and periodicals without permission. One key arose from the Combined Registry Company's of Desiderata in the 1971 issue of Success Unlimited magazine. Bell filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of , alleging infringement. In Bell v. Combined Registry Co. (397 F. Supp. 1241, N.D. Ill. 1975), the court examined the of the poem's and determined that Ehrmann had forfeited the through multiple instances of and distribution without the required , such as the 1933 Christmas cards and a 1942 authorized distribution to U.S. servicemen, leading to abandonment under the laws in effect at the time. The ruling held that these lapses constituted abandonment of the entire . Bell appealed the decision, but the Seventh of Appeals affirmed the district court's forfeiture finding in Bell v. Combined Registry Co. (536 F.2d 164, 7th Cir. 1976), emphasizing the consistent absence of in early authorized publications as grounds for the 's loss. This outcome stemmed directly from the pre-1976 U.S. requirements, which mandated explicit to maintain protection.

Public Domain Status

In the United States, following the 1976 appellate ruling in Bell v. Combined Registry Co. affirming forfeiture and abandonment due to authorized distributions without —such as the 1933 Christmas cards and the 1942 distribution to U.S. troops—Desiderata was placed in the retroactively from the forfeiture event (as of 1943), enabling unrestricted reproduction, adaptation, and distribution of the work without permission or payment since the decision. This outcome invalidated all subsequent claims to the under pre-1976 U.S. . Internationally, Desiderata's status varies by but is in countries adhering to the standard of life of the author plus 70 years, given Max Ehrmann's death on September 9, 1945; thus, protection expired at the end of 2015 in those nations, with earlier entry in countries with shorter terms like life plus 50 years. Despite these clarifications, persistent myths about ongoing restrictions or licensing requirements continue to circulate, often from historical disputes prior to the ruling; however, the decision affirms free access in the U.S. without such limitations.

Cultural Impact

Musical Adaptations

The most notable musical adaptation of Desiderata is the 1971 spoken-word recording by American radio personality , set to music composed and arranged by Broadway composer Fred Werner, with additional lyrics and concept by David C. Wilson. Released as the title track of Crane's album Desiderata, the piece combines Crane's measured narration of the poem with gospel-style choral refrains emphasizing lines like "You are a child of the universe" and subtle orchestral elements, including and strings. It peaked at No. 8 on the chart in late 1971 and remained on the chart for 12 weeks, marking a rare crossover success for spoken-word content. This recording earned Crane the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Recording at the in , highlighting its cultural resonance during a period of social upheaval. The track's serene tone and philosophical message aligned with the era's countercultural and self-help movements, influencing the emerging genre by popularizing introspective, meditative audio formats. Crane's version built on an earlier musical take: in 1970, British progressive rock drummer Davison's project band Every Which Way released the poem as "Go Placidly" on the album Brian Davison's Every Which Way, featuring sung verses and psychedelic instrumentation that captured the ethos of the time. Internationally, adaptations proliferated in the , reflecting the poem's global appeal. A prominent Spanish-language version appeared in 1972, performed by Mexican actor and narrator on his album Jorge Lavat Y La Canción Hablada, where he recited a translated text over gentle orchestral backing, achieving popularity in . Subsequent decades saw Desiderata incorporated into choral music, particularly for educational and community ensembles. Arrangements for choirs emerged in the 1990s and 2000s, such as Richard Cumming's 2000 setting published by Classical Vocal Reprints, which pairs the full poem with original accompaniment to evoke a contemplative mood suitable for concert performances. These choral works emphasize harmonic layering and dynamic contrasts to underscore the poem's themes of and resilience, often performed in settings like school assemblies or spiritual gatherings. The enduring influence extended to ambient and compositions in the 1980s and 1990s, where excerpts from Crane's recording or the poem's text were sampled in meditative tracks, reinforcing its role as a foundational element in relaxation-oriented music.

Uses in Media and Public Life

Desiderata has been invoked in political discourse to emphasize themes of unity and resilience. In his election night speech on October 30, 1972, Canadian Prime Minister quoted the poem's closing line, "the universe is unfolding as it should," to reflect on national unity amid the Liberal Party's victory. This reference underscored the poem's role as a source of philosophical comfort during times of political uncertainty. The poem has appeared in various television and film contexts, highlighting its inspirational value. In the 1982 episode "Discovered in a Graveyard" of the British series The Professionals, CI5 commander George Cowley discovers a framed copy of Desiderata in agent Ray Doyle's apartment and reads it aloud, using its wisdom to contemplate life and duty. This moment portrays the poem as a personal guide for navigating professional and existential challenges. In contemporary society, Desiderata continues to influence literature and personal expression. It is featured in books like The Desiderata of Happiness (2017), a collection of philosophical poems by Ehrmann, including Desiderata. The text has also become a staple for tattoos, with individuals inking excerpts such as "You are a child of the " to symbolize enduring and identity. Its ongoing popularity is evident in sustained online interest, reflecting its timeless appeal in public life.

References

  1. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/articles/70274/in-search-of-desiderata
  2. https://www.desiderata.com/desiderata-history.html
  3. https://www.desiderata.com/desiderata.html
  4. https://www.businessballs.com/amusement-stress-relief/desiderata-inspirational-poem-and-history/
  5. https://www.appleseeds.org/Desiderata_Ehrmann.htm
  6. https://lawlit.net/lp-2001/ehrmann.html
  7. https://www.desiderata.com/max-ehrmann.html
  8. https://images.indianahistory.org/digital/collection/dc010/id/26/
  9. https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/imh/article/download/6624/6970
  10. https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/nights/audio/2018688859/desiderata
  11. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/393163658_Wisdom_in_Words_A_Didactic_Analysis_of_the_Poem_Desiderata_by_Max_Ehrmann
  12. https://www.desiderataenergy.com/the_name_desiderata/the_confused_history_of_desiderata
  13. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/desiderata-errata/
  14. https://www.desiderata.com/desiderata-copyright-1975.html
  15. https://d.lib.msu.edu/mt/55751
  16. https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Desiderata_of_Happiness.html?id=aovmXwAACAAJ
  17. https://stpaulsbaltimore.org/the-desiderata/
  18. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1977/11/27/popular-prose-poem-is-no-work-of-the-ages/7cdcc9b8-3003-4667-91c5-bc90ea1810f0/
  19. https://poemanalysis.com/max-ehrmann/desiderata/
  20. https://www.gradesaver.com/desiderata-and-other-poems/study-guide/symbols-allegory-motifs
  21. https://law.resource.org/pub/us/case/reporter/F2/536/536.F2d.164.75-1753.html
  22. https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/397/1241/1674376/
  23. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/les-crane/desiderata
  24. https://www.last.fm/music/Les%2BCrane/_/Desiderata
  25. https://www.grammy.com/artists/les-crane/1347
  26. https://www.smh.com.au/world/pioneer-shock-jock-who-gave-the-world-a-new-age-anthem-20080727-3lpr.html
  27. https://music.apple.com/ca/song/desiderata/403320224
  28. https://www.discogs.com/master/1161904-Jorge-Lavat-Desiderata
  29. https://www.jwpepper.com/desiderata-5938493/p
  30. https://www.richieunterberger.com/crane.html
  31. https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/1.5322639
  32. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/politics/election-2021/milnes-election-night-speeches-canadas-political-universe-is-unfolding-as-it-should
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0679302/
  34. http://www.mark-1.co.uk/Professionals/e05.htm
  35. https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Desiderata_of_Happiness.html?id=1SuGDwAAQBAJ
  36. https://www.etsy.com/listing/983890456/desiderata-poem-temporary-tattoo-sticker
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