Ode to Joy

O friends, no more these sounds !
Let us sing more cheerful songs,
A song full of joy!
Joy !

Joy, beautiful spark of the gods,
Daughter of Elysium,
Exhilarated with your fire,
Heavenly being, we enter Thy sanctuary.

Thy magic power reunites,
All that was strictly divided by custom ;
All men become brothers,
Where your gentle wing rests.

Whoever has the great good fortune,
To enjoy mutual friendship,
Whoever has taken a loving wife,
Let him join us in celebration !

Yes ! Even he who has nothing in the world
To call his own but his soul !
But he who cannot rejoice,
Let him steal weeping away from our circle.

All creatures partake of joy
At Nature’s breast ;
All, just and unjust,
Follow in her wake of roses.

She gave us kisses, the vine,
A friend tested in death.
The worm is in ecstasy,
and the cherub stands before God.

And the cherub stands before God.
Joyfully, as the suns as they hurtle
through the glorious expanse of heavens;
Brothers, you should run your course,
As joyful as a hero on his way to triumph.

Joy, beautiful spark of the gods,
Daughter of Elysium,
Exhilarated with your fire,
Heavenly being, we enter Thy sanctuary.

Thy magic power reunites,
All that was strictly divided by custom ;
All men become brothers,
Where your gentle wing rests.

Be embraced, you millions !
Here’s a kiss for all the world !
Brothers ! - Above the starry vault
There must dwell a loving Father.

Do you fall prostrate, you millions ?
World, do you sense your Creator ?
Seek him beyond the stars !
Above the starry vault he must dwell !

Joy, beautiful spark of the gods,
Daughter of Elysium,
Exhilarated with your fire,
Heavenly being, we enter Thy sanctuary.

Be embraced, you millions !
Here’s a kiss for all the world !

Joy !
Do you fall prostrate, you millions ?
World, do you sense your Creator ?
Seek him beyond the stars ! Brothers !

Above the starry vault - there must
dwell a loving Father.
Joy, Daughter of Elysium !
Thy magic power reunites,
All that was strictly divided by custom ;

All men become brothers,
Where your gentle wing rests.
Be embraced, you millions !
Here’s a kiss for all the world !

Brothers ! - Above the starry vault
there must dwell a loving Father.
Be embraced, you millions !
Here’s a kiss for all the world !

 Shiller and Beethoven