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A few words on the European Anthem |
The Council of European Ministers officially announced the European Anthem on January 19th 1972 at Strasbourg: the prelude to "The Ode to Joy", 4th movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's 9th symphony. The job of officially interpreting the work was given to Herbert von Karajan. He wrote his decisions on the score, notably those concerning the tempo. Karajan decided on crotchet = 120 whereas Beethoven had written minim = 80. The text by Friedrich von Shiller was not kept for the European Anthem, for obvious reasons of translation, but the music is universal... The anthem lasts 2 minutes. |
The words to the Ode to Joy |
Ode to Joy
Music: Ludwig van Beethoven |
Text in German |
French translation |
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. 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! Freude trinken alle Wesen An den Brüsten der Natur; Alle Guten, alle Bösen Folgen ihrer Rosenspur. Küsse gab sie uns und Reben, Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod; Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben, und der Cherub steht vor Gott. Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen Durch des Himmels prächt'gen Plan, Laufet, Brüder, eure Bahn, Freudig, wie ein Held zum Siegen. Seid umschlungen, Millionen! Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt! Brüder, über'm Sternenzelt Muß ein lieber Vater wohnen. Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen? Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt? Such' ihn über'm Sternenzelt! Über Sternen muß er wohnen. |
Joie ! Joie ! Belle étincelle divine, |
Italian translation |
English translation |
Gioia, bella scintilla di Dio, |
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. |
Spanish translation |
Portuguese translation |
¡Oh amigos, dejemos esos tonos! Que este beso envuelva al mundo entero! Hermanos! Sobre la bóveda estrellada habita un Padre bondadoso! ¿Flaqueáis, millones de criaturas? ¿No intuyes, mundo, a tu Creador? Búscalo a través de la bóveda celeste, ¡Su morada ha de estar más allá de las estrellas! |
Alegria, centelha de imortal chama, Aquele que teve a boa sorte Todo ser vivente extrai Alegres como sóis incandescentes O amor se expande a milhões sem conta, |
Many
thanks to Hannah SALTER for her translation
of this page from French into English © Dominique PREVOT |
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