What are the English lyrics to Ode to Joy?

Answer 1

HYMN:

Joyful, joyful

We adore Thee

God of glory

Lord of love

Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee

Hail Thee to the sun above

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness

Drive the dark of doubt away

Giver of immortal gladness

Fill us with the light of day

With light

With light

Mortals join the mighty chorus

Which the morning stars began

Father love is reigning o'er us

Brother love binds man to man

Ever singing march we onward

Victors in the midst of strife

Joyful music lifts us Son ward

In the triumph song of life.

The above are the words of a Christian hymn in English. But "Ode to Joy" generally refers to a non-religious poem in German by Friedrich Schiller, "An die Freude", part of which forms the text of the finale (chorale) movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. It begins:

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.

These words can be translated:

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.