O friends, no more these sounds!
Let us sing more cheerful
songs,
more full of joy!
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 feel 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
he must dwell.