© 2017 Catriona Seth and Rotraud von Kulessa, CC BY 4.0 https://doi.org/10.11647/OBP.0123.02
A poem by Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805),i the Ode to Joy, associated with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, has become the hymn for Europe after having been sung in concert halls and concentration camps, in Germany and far beyond its borders. A symbol of reconciliation, it bears witness at once to a common classical culture and to the aspiration towards future fraternity. Written in 1785, the text is marked by pietistic vocabulary, but also by its all-embracing enthusiasm.
O Freunde, nicht diese Töne! |
Dear friends, do not play such music! |
Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen |
Let us rather take up melodies more pleasing |
und freudenvollere. |
And more infused with joy. |
Freude, schöner Götterfunken |
Joy, the gods’ own spark of beauty |
Tochter aus Elysium, |
Daughter of Elysium |
Wir betreten feuertrunken, |
Fire-drunk pilgrims’ solemn duty, |
Himmlische, dein Heiligtum! |
To your kingdom we shall come! |
Deine Zauber binden wieder |
Your enchantment binds together |
Was die Mode streng geteilt; |
That which custom would divide, |
Alle Menschen werden Brüder |
All unite as friends and fellows |
Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt. |
Where your gentle wings abide. |
Wem der große Wurf gelungen, |
He who casts the die with boldness |
Eines Freundes Freund zu sein; |
In great friendship shall rejoice, |
Wer ein holdes Weib errungen, |
Wins fair heart, thawed from its coldness |
Mische seinen Jubel ein! |
To our chorus join his voice. |
Ja, wer auch nur eine Seele |
He who calls but one soul his |
Sein nennt auf dem Erdenrund! |
In this, our great earthly sphere. |
Und wer’s nie gekonnt, der stehle |
Only he who lives without is |
Weinend sich aus diesem Bund! |
Lost from Union, left in tears. |
Freude trinken alle Wesen |
Joy, our Mother Nature’s nectar, |
An den Brüsten der Natur; |
Drink from her consoling breast |
Alle Guten, alle Bösen |
Those who good or evil think |
Folgen ihrer Rosenspur. |
Are by her gentle hand caressed. |
Küsse gab sie uns und Reben, |
Nature’s trail of vines we treasure, |
Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod; |
Friendship true, in death unflawed, |
Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben, |
Lowly worms are given pleasure, |
und der Cherub steht vor Gott. |
And the cherub stands with God. |
Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen |
Joyful as the starry places |
Durch des Himmels prächt’gen Plan, |
Speeding on their endless way |
Laufet, Brüder, eure Bahn, |
Brothers, sisters, to your future |
Freudig, wie ein Held zum Siegen. |
As a hero wins the day. |
Seid umschlungen, Millionen! |
Let me now embrace you, people, |
Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt! |
Let this kiss the world hear well; |
Brüder, über’m Sternenzelt |
Brothers, sisters, high above us, |
Muß ein lieber Vater wohnen |
Must a loving father dwell. |
Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen? |
Fall before him all you people |
Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt? |
World, who made you, love you well? |
Such ‘ihn über‘m Sternenzelt! |
Seek him in the stars above us |
Über Sternen muß er wohnen. |
In the heavens he must dwell. |
Friedrich Schiller, ‘Ode to Joy’ (1785).
Read the text in the original language (1808 edition): https://de.wikisource.org/wiki/Ode_an_die_Freude