歡樂颂
(德) 約翰.克里斯朵夫.費列迪克.逢.席勒 (1759 –1805)
–My New Year wish to all as we enter the second decade of the 21st century YK, Ottawa
“Ode To Joy” is an ode written in 1785 by the German poet, playwright and historian Friedrich Schiller, celebrating the ideal of unity and brotherhood of all mankind. It is best known for its musical setting by Ludwig van Beethoven in the final movement of his Ninth Symphony (completed in 1824), a choral symphony for orchestra, four solo voices and choir.1
The Beethoven setting became the official anthem of the European Union in 1972; the former anthem of Rhodesia used its tune. It has been used in a number of other contexts; possibly the most famous use of it in American popular culture is within the Die Hard franchise. It was also used as a plot point in Stanley Kubrick’s 1971 movie A Clockwork Orange.
[From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ode_to_Joy]
1 Video clips
- Leonard Bernstein comments and conducts the Vienna Philharmonic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZJ1Tgf4JL8&NR=1
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9V5yUsrmdg&feature=related
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_5z0m7cs0A&feature=related
- A performance in the Annual Concert 2011 (Harmonie) of Wah Yan College, Kowloon
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEsibyhNCUU
Words written by Beethoven (not Schiller) are shown in italics. (http://raptusassociation.org/ode1785.html.)
| German original | English translation |
| O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!Sondern laßt uns angenehmere anstimmen,und freudenvollere.Freude! (men’s chorus: Freude! )
Freude! (chorus again: Freude! ) |
Oh friends, not these tones!Rather, let us raise our voices in more pleasingAnd more joyful sounds!Joy! (Joy!)
Joy! (Joy!) |
| Freude, schöner Götterfunken*Tochter aus Elysium,Wir betreten feuertrunken,Himmlische, dein Heiligtum!
Deine Zauber binden wieder Was die Mode streng geteilt; Alle Menschen werden Brüder, Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt. |
Joy, beautiful spark of divinity*Daughter of Elysium,We enter, drunk with fire,Into your sanctuary, heavenly (daughter)!
Your magic reunites What custom strictly divided. All men become brothers, Where your gentle wing rests. |
| 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! |
Whoever has had the great fortuneTo be a friend’s friend,Whoever has won a devoted wife,Join in our jubilation!
Indeed, whoever can call even one soul, His own on this earth! And whoever was never able to, must creep Tearfully away from this band! |
| Freude trinken alle WesenAn den Brüsten der Natur;Alle Guten, alle BösenFolgen ihrer Rosenspur.
Küße gab sie uns und Reben, Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod; Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben, Und der Cherub steht vor Gott. Vor Gott! |
Joy all creatures drinkAt the breasts of nature;All good, all badFollow her trail of roses.
Kisses she gave us, and wine, A friend, proved in death; Pleasure was given to the worm, And the cherub stands before God. Before God! |
| Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegenDurch des Himmels prächt’gen Plan,Laufet, Brüder, eure Bahn,Freudig, wie ein Held zum Siegen. | Glad, as His suns flyThrough the Heaven’s glorious design,Run, brothers, your path,Joyful, as a hero to victory. |
| Seid umschlungen, Millionen!Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt!Brüder, über’m SternenzeltMuss ein lieber Vater wohnen.
Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen? Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt? Such’ ihn über’m Sternenzelt! Über Sternen muss er wohnen. |
Be embraced, millions!This kiss for the whole world!Brothers, above the starry canopyMust a loving Father dwell.
Do you bow down, millions? Do you sense the Creator, world? Seek Him beyond the starry canopy! Beyond the stars must He dwell. |
| Finale repeats the words:Seid umschlungen, Millionen!Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt!Brüder, über’m Sternenzelt
Muss ein lieber Vater wohnen. Seid umschlungen, Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt! Freude, schöner Götterfunken Tochter aus Elysium, Freude, schöner Götterfunken Götterfunken! |
Finale repeats the words:Be embraced, you millions!This kiss for the whole world!Brothers, beyond the star-canopy
Must a loving Father dwell. Be embraced, This kiss for the whole world! Joy, beautiful spark of divinity, Daughter of Elysium, Joy, beautiful spark of divinity Divinity! |
* The vocal part of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony thus ends with the final word”Götterfunken” (literally, “Godly-spark”).
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