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Joy, bright spark of divinity, Daughter of Elysium, Fire-inspired we tread Thy sanctuary. Thy magic power re-unites All that custom has divided, All men become brothers Under the sway of thy gentle wings.
Whoever has created An abiding friendship, Or has won A true and loving wife, All who can call at least one soul theirs, Join in our song of praise ; But any who cannot must creep tearfully Away from our circle.
All creatures drink of joy At nature's breast. Just and unjust Alike taste of her gift ; She gave us kisses and the fruit of the vine, A tried friend to the end. Even the worm can fell contentment, And the cherub stands before God !
Gladly, like the heavenly bodies Which He set on their courses Through the splendour of the firmament ; Thus, brothers, you should run your race, As a hero going to conquest.
You millions, I embrace you. This kiss is for all the world ! Brothers, above the starry canopy There must dwell a loving Father. Do you fall in worship, you millions ? World, do you know your Creator ? Seek Him in the heavens ! Above the stars must He dwell
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Joy, beautiful spark of God, Daughter of Elysium, We enter, fire-drunk, Heavenly one, your shrine. Your magic reunites (What custom's sword has parted -- Schiller's original) What custom strictly parts. (Beethoven's modification) (Beggars become princes' brothers -- Schiller's original) All people become brothers (Beethoven's modification) Where your gentle wing alights. Whoever has succeeded in the great attempt To be a friend to a friend; Whoever has won a lovely woman Mix in your joy! Yes, who calls even one soul His own on the earth's sphere! And let whoever has never achieved this Steal away crying 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 suns fly 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.
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Praise to Joy, the God-descended Daughter of Elysium! Ray of mirth and rapture blended, Goddess, to thy shrine we come. By thy magic is united What stern Custom parted wide, All mankind are brothers plighted Where thy gentle wings abide.
Ye to whom the boon is measured, Friend to be of faithful friend, Who a wife has won and treasured, To our strain your voices lend! Yea, if any hold in keeping Only one heart all his own, Let him join us, or else weeping, Steal from out our midst, unknown.
Draughts of joy, from cup o'erflowing, Bounteous Nature freely gives Grace to just and unjust showing, Blessing everything that lives. Wine she gave to us and kisses, Loyal friend on life's steep road, E'en the worm can feel life's blisses, And the Seraph dwells with God.
Glad as the sun His will sent plying Through the vast abyss of space. Brothers run your joyous race, Hero-like to conquest flying
O ye millions, I embrace ye! With a kiss for all the world! Brothers, o'er yon starry sphere Surely dwells a loving Father.
O ye millions, kneel before Him, World, dost feel thy Maker near? Seek Him o'er yon starry sphere, O'er the stars enthroned, adore Him!
Posts: 4953 | Registered: Jan 2004
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I loved that masterpiece, there's nothing like hearing it performed live. One interesting note you can research, is how similar the word for joy and freedom are in German. Some have suggested that Beethoven was kind of covertly writing about freedom which people was not allowed to do due the the oppressive government at the time.
Posts: 1412 | Registered: Oct 2005
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I played ode to joy 8 times! Fifth through 12th grade, in a round, the last time with 400 kids.
Posts: 5362 | Registered: Apr 2004
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I'm gonna be nitpicky and say that "ode to joy" is only one of many brilliant themes in the 9th symphony... picking complete. I wish my school would do that piece.
Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
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Yeah it is, and we only played the last movement, being "Ode to Joy" There's a joke, and I forget it all, but the bass players go get drunk, then come back for the end, and the punchline is "it's the bottom of the ninth and the basses are loaded"
Posts: 5362 | Registered: Apr 2004
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The bass part for the ninth is amazingly difficult, but we do not play for a section of it. I have never performed it nor heard it live. I really want to!
Posts: 1015 | Registered: Aug 2004
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As do I, sing in it or hear it live... Or get a timemachine and a warm jacket and attend the original performance
Posts: 9912 | Registered: Nov 2005
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WOW. The DSO was AMAZING! This was the best rendition of the 9th I've ever heard. I started cyring near the beginning and lost it when the 4th movement got going. So beautiful and powerful. The soloists were awesome too. Man. We gave them a standing ovation and got them to come back out 4 times. Very fun. I just wish Mom could have seen it with us.
Matt, my bro, got us center box seats... best in the house if you ask me.
It has been my dream to sing Ode to Joy, but fate has denied me the chance three times now. But that just keeps me looking forward to the day when I finally can! Posts: 4953 | Registered: Jan 2004
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Blayne Bradley
unregistered
posted
can someone supply where I can get this song?
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![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
I started cyring near the beginning and lost it when the 4th movement got going. So beautiful and powerful. The soloists were awesome too. Man. We gave them a standing ovation and got them to come back out 4 times. Very fun. I just wish Mom could have seen it with us.![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
But that just keeps me looking forward to the day when I finally can! 
