Ode to Freedom

Joy, beautiful spark of Gods,  Daughter of Elysium,
We approach, fueled by fire,  Heavenly, your sanctuary,
Your magical powers unify  What custom harshly parts
All men are made brothers  Where your gentle wing spreads.

Be embraced, millions!  This kiss to the entire world!
Brothers – over a canopy of stars  Our loving father must dwell.

Whoever has had the great luck,  To know true friendship,
Whoever has found the love of a devoted wife,
Add this to our greater joy!
Indeed, whoever can call even one soul  His own on this earth!
Yet those who fail must pull  Tearfully away from this circle.

Those who dwell in the great circle,
Render homage unto compassion!
It guides us to the stars,  Where the Unknown reigns.
The joy which all creatures drink  From nature’s bosom;
All, Just and Unjust,  Follow her rose-strewn path.
Kisses she gave us, and wine,  A friend, proven in death,
Even the worm was given pleasure, And the Cherub stands before God.

You bow down, millions?  World, can you sense your Creator?
Seek him above the stared canopy. Above the stars He must dwell.
Joy is called the strong motivation  In eternal nature.
Joy, joy turns the wheels  Of the great celestial mechanics
Flowers are summoned forth from their buds,
Suns from the Firmament,  Spheres it moves far out in Space,
Beyond the grasp of our glass.

Joyfully, as His suns spin,  Across the Universe’s grand design,
Run, brothers, run your race,  Joyfully, as a hero going to conquest.
As truth’s fiery reflection  It smiles at the seeker of truth
At virtue’s steep hill  It leads the seeker on.
Atop faith’s lofty summit  Its flags whipped in the wind,
Through the cracks of burst-open coffins,  It stand in the angels’ chorus.

Persist with courage, millions!  Stand firm for a better world!
Over the stars  A great God will reward you.
Gods one can never requite,  Save in the striving to be like them.
Sorrow and Poverty, come forth  And rejoice with the Joyful ones.
Anger and revenge be dispelled, Our bitterest enemy be forgiven,
Not one tear shall he shed anymore,  No feeling of loss shall pain him.

The account of our misdeeds be destroyed!
Reconciled the entire world!
Brothers, above the starry canopy God judges as we judge.
Joy is bubbling in the glasses, Through the grapes’ golden blood
Let Cannibals drink gentleness,  And despair drinks courage–
Brothers, be lifted from your seats,
As the fully charged chalice is passed around,
Let the foam rise up to heaven:  Let this glass charge our spirits.

He whom stars above select, He whom the Seraphs’ hymn praises,
This glass we raise to Him, the good spirit, Over the field of stars!
Be resolute and courageous in the face of our plight,
Where the innocent weap, render aid,
Eternally are reckoned all oaths we swear Truth towards friend and enemy,
Human pride before the thrones of kings–Brothers, though it cost us life and blood,
Give the crowns to those who earn them, Defeat to the pack of liars!

Close the holy circle tighter,  Swear by this golden wine:
To remain true to the Oath, Swear it to He who judge above the stars!
Deliver us from tyrants’ chains, But show generosity also towards the blaggard,
Hope on the deathbeds,  Mercy from the final judge!
Also the dead shall live!  Brothers, drink and join in,
All sinners shall be forgiven,  And hell shall be no more.

Our serene hour of farewell!  Sweet rest in the shroud!
Brothers–a mild sentence  From the mouth of the judge of the dead!

~ Friedrich Schiller, German poet, playwright, and historian wrote this ode in 1785.  The work is radical as it envisions a world without monarchs embracing the dignity of humanity. The poem was originally named “Ode to Freedom”.
"Ode to Joy" is best known for its use by Ludwig van Beethoven in the final movement of his 9th Symphony, completed in 1824. It is a universal message of brotherhood which transcends the boundaries of time and culture.

Image ~ William Blake's "The Book of Job When the Morning Stars Sang Together"