Ode to Joy

To Joy (An die Freude in German) is an ode written in 1785 by the German
poet and historian Friedrich Schiller, and known especially for its musical
setting by Beethoven in the fourth movement of his Ninth Symphony, for four
solo voices, chorus, and orchestra. In this symphonic version it is often
referred to popularly as the "Ode to Joy".

The Ode to Joy was adopted as Europe's anthem by the Council of Europe in
1972, with an official transcription for orchestra written by Herbert von
Karajan.

In 2003, the European Union chose Beethoven's music for the poem as the EU
anthem, without German lyrics, because of the many different languages used
within the European Union. Therefore, the EU anthem is in effect the
Beethoven theme (or melody) rather than Schiller's poem, although its
connection with the ideal of human brotherhood in the text is understood.
This ideal is stated in much more universal terms in Beethoven's adaptation
("All human beings become brothers") than in Schiller's original, which
states that "beggars become the brothers of princes."

Beethoven's theme is also the setting for the Christian hymn, Joyful, Joyful
We Adore Thee (or Hymn to Joy), a poem written in 1908 by Henry van Dyke
(1852-1933).

Libretto

The following is the libretto of the fourth movement of Beethoven's Ninth
Symphony, his adaptation of Schiller's ode to Joy. Beethoven's additions and
revisions are indicated in italics.

     In German

     O Freunde, nicht diese Tšne!
     Sondern la§t uns angenehmere
     anstimmen und freudenvollere.
     Freude!

     Freude, schšner Gštterfunken
     Tochter aus Elysium,
     Wir betreten feuertrunken,
     Himmlische, dein Heiligtum!
     Deine Zauber binden wieder
     Was die Mode streng geteilt;
     Alle Menschen werden BrŸder,
     (Schiller's original:
     Was der Mode Schwert geteilt;
     Bettler werden FŸrstenbrŸder,)
     Wo dein sanfter FlŸgel weilt.

     Wem der gro§e Wurf gelungen,
     Eines Freundes Freund zu sein;
     Wer ein holdes Weib errungen,
     Mische seinen Jubel ein!
     Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele
     Sein nennt auf dem Erdenrund!
     Und wer's nie gekonnt, der stehle
     Weinend sich aus diesem Bund!

     Freude trinken alle Wesen
     An den BrŸsten der Natur;
     Alle Guten, all Bšsen
     Folgen ihrer Rosenspur.
     KŸsse gab sie uns und Reben,
     Einen Freund, geprŸft im Tod;
     Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben,
     und der Cherub steht vor Gott.

     Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen
     Durch des Himmels prŠcht'gen Plan,
     Laufet, BrŸder, eure Bahn,
     Freudig, wie ein Held zum Siegen.

     Seid umschlungen, Millionen!
     Diesen Ku§ der ganzen Welt!
     BrŸder, Ÿber'm Sternenzelt
     Mu§ ein lieber Vater wohnen.
     Ihr stŸrzt nieder, Millionen?
     Ahnest du den Schšpfer, Welt?
     Such' ihn Ÿber'm Sternenzelt!
     †ber Sternen mu§ er wohnen.

     In English

     Oh friends, no more of these sad tones!
     Let us rather raise our voices together
     In more pleasant and joyful tones.
     Joy!

     Joy, thou shining spark of God,
     Daughter of Elysium,
     With fiery rapture, goddess,
     We approach thy shrine.
     Your magic reunites
     That which stern custom has parted;
     All humans will become brothers
     (Schiller's original:
     What custom's sword has parted;
     Beggars become princes' brothers)
     Under your protective wing.

     Let the man who has had the fortune
     To be a helper to his friend,
     And the man who has won a noble woman,
     Join in our chorus of jubilation!
     Yes, even if he holds but one soul
     As his own in all the world!
     But let the man who knows nothing of this
     Steal away alone and in sorrow.

     All the world's creatures drink
     From the breasts of nature;
     Both the good and the evil
     Follow her trail of roses.
     She gave us kisses and wine
     And a friend loyal unto death;
     She gave the joy of life to the lowliest,
     And to the angels who dwell with God.

     Joyous, as His suns speed
     Through the glorious order of Heaven,
     Hasten, brothers, on your way,
     Joyful as a hero to victory.

     Be embraced, all ye millions!
     With a kiss for all the world!
     Brothers, beyond the stars
     Surely dwells a loving Father.
     Do you kneel before Him, oh millions?
     Do you sense the Creator's presence?
     Seek Him beyond the stars!
     He must dwell beyond the stars.

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