Ode to Joy

Categories: German poems | Anthems | European Union

"To Joy" (»An die Freude« in German, in English often familiarly called the Ode to Joy rather than To Joy) 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 and final movement of his Ninth Symphony, for four solo voices, chorus, and orchestra.

The Ode to Joy was adopted as Europe's anthem by the Council of Europe in 1972, with an official arrangement 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 men 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).

Ode to Joy, with its German lyrics, was featured prominently in the 1971 film and 1962 book A Clockwork Orange.

Less famous musical settings of the poem were written by Franz Schubert (for voice and piano, 1815) and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (for solo singers, choir and orchestra in a Russian translation, 1865). Bright Eyes used the music from Ode to Joy on his song Road to Joy from the album I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning.

Image:Gnome-speakernotes.png	Beethoven's Ode to Joy (info)
	A simplified version of Beethoven's setting of part of the poem, from his ninth symphony
	Problems listening to the file? See media help.

Text

The following is the text of Schiller's poem, as modified in Beethoven's setting. Note that it is an excerpt from Schiller's original text, and that Beethoven has changed the order of some of the strophes.

In German Freude, schöner Götterfunken Tochter aus Elysium, Wir betreten feuertrunken, Himmlische, dein Heiligtum! Deine Zauber binden wieder Was der Mode Schwert geteilt; Bettler werden Fürstenbrüder, Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt. Wem der große 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 Brüsten der Natur; Alle Guten, alle Bösen Folgen ihrer Rosenspur. Küsse gab sie uns und Reben, Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod; Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben, Und der Cherub steht vor Gott. Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen Durch des Himmels prächt'gen Plan, Laufet, Brüder, eure Bahn, Freudig, wie ein Held zum Siegen. Seid umschlungen, Millionen! Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt! Brüder, über'm Sternenzelt Muß ein lieber Vater wohnen. Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen? Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt? Such' ihn über'm Sternenzelt! Über Sternen muß er wohnen.

In English Joy, beautiful spark of God, Daughter of Elysium, We enter, fire-drunk, Heavenly, your shrine. Your magic reunites What custom's sword has parted; Beggars become princes' brothers Where your gentle wing alights. Whoever has succeeded in the great attempt To be a friend of a friend; Whoever has won a lovely woman Mix in your joy! Yes, also whoever only one soul Calls his own around the world! And whoever has never known of this, Steal away crying out from this group! All beings drink joy At the breasts of nature; All the good, all the bad Follow her trail of roses. She gave us kisses and vines, A friend, proven in death; Great pleasure was given to the worm, And the cherub stands before God. Glad, like his sun flies Through heaven's splendid plan, Run, brothers, your race, Joyful, like a hero to the victory. Be embraced, millions! This kiss to all the world! Brothers, over the starry firmament Must live a loving father. Do you bow down, millions? Do you sense the Creator, world? Seek him beyond the starry firmament! He must dwell beyond the stars.

External links

• Schiller's ode 'An die Freude' in its original, 1785 version with English translation
• Beethoven's 1823 version for use in his Ninth Symphony with English translation
• Here you find short singable texts to the European anthem in English, German, and Latinbe:Ода да радасьці

da:An die Freude de:Ode an die Freude es:Oda a la Alegría fr:Ode à la joie id:Ode an die Freude ka:ევროკავშირის ჰიმნი hu:Örömóda nl:Ode an die Freude ja:歓喜の歌 no:An die Freude pl:Oda do radości sl:Oda radosti sv:Till glädjen vi:Ode hoan ca