Lyrics of Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125 - "Choral" / 4. - "O Freunde nicht diese Töne" - - Jessye Norman, Brigitte Fassbaender, Plácido Domingo

Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 In D Minor, Op. 125 - "Choral" / 4. - "O Freunde nicht diese Töne" - (original)

e, nicht diese Toene!
Sondern lasst uns angenehmere anstimmen und freundenvollere!
O friends!
Not these sounds!
But let us strike up more pleasant sounds and more joyful!
Freude, schoener Goetterfunken,
Tochter aus Elysium,
Wir betreten feuertrunken,
Himmlische dein Heiligtum.
Deine Zauber binden wieder,
Was die Mode streng geteilt;
Alle Menschen werden Brueder,
Wo dein sanfter Fluegel weilt.
Joy, o wondrous spark divine,
Daughter of Elysium,
Drunk with fire now we enter,
Heavenly one, your holy shrine.
Your magic powers join again
What fashion strictly did divide;
Brotherhood unites all men
Where your gentle wing’s spread wide.
Wem der grosse Wurf gelungen,
Eines Freundes Freund zu sein,
Wer ein holdes Weib errungen,
Mische seine 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!
The man who’s been so fortunate
To become the friend of a friend,
The man who has won a fair woman —
To the rejoicing let him add his voice.
The man who calls but a single soul
Somewhere in the world his own!
And he who never managed this —
Let him steal forth from our throng!
Freude trinken alle Wesen
An den Bruesten der Natur,
Alle Guten, alle Boesen
Folgen ihre Rosenspur.
Kuesse gab sie uns und Reben,
Einen Freund, geprueft im Tod,
Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben,
Und der Cherub steht vor Gott.
Joy is drunk by every creature
From Nature’s fair and charming breast;
Every being, good or evil,
Follows in her rosy steps.
Kisses she gave to us, and vines,
And one good friend, tried in death;
The serpent she endowed with base desire
And the cherub stands before God.
Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen
Durch das Himmels praecht’gen Plan,
Laufet, Brueder, eure Bahn,
Freudig wie ein Held zum Siegen.
Gladly as His suns do fly
Through the heavens' splendid plan,
Run now, brothers, your own course,
Joyful like a conquering hero
Seid umschlungen, Millionen!
Diesen Kuss der ganzen Welt!
Brueder — ueberm Sternenzelt
Muss ein lieber Vater wohnen.
Embrace each other now, you millions!
The kiss is for the whole wide world!
Brothers — over the starry firmament
A beloved Father must surely dwell.
Ihr stuerzt nieder, Millionen?
Ahnest du den Schoepfer, Welt?
Such ihn ueberm Sternenzelt,
Ueber Sternen muss er wohnen.
Do you come crashing down, you millions?
Do you sense the Creators presence, world?
Seek Him above the starry firmament,
For above the stars he surely dwells.

(translation)

e, not these sounds!
But let's strike up more pleasant and friendlier ones!
O friends!
Not these sounds!
But let us strike up more pleasant sounds and more joyful!
Joy, beautiful spark of the gods,
Daughter from Elysium,
We enter, drunk with fire,
heavenly thy sanctuary.
your spells bind again,
What fashion strictly divided;
All people become brothers,
Where your gentle wing rests.
Joy, o wonderful spark divine,
Daughter of Elysium,
Drunk with fire now we enter,
Heavenly one, your holy shrine.
Your magic powers join again
What fashion strictly did divide;
Brotherhood unites all men
Where your gentle wing's spread wide.
Who made the big hit
to be a friend's friend
Whoever has won a devoted wife,
Mix in his cheers!
Yes — who even a soul
His names on the earth round!
And whoever hasn't been able to steal
Weeping out of this covenant!
The man who's been so fortunate
To become the friend of a friend,
The man who has won a fair woman —
To the rejoicing let him add his voice.
The man who calls but a single soul
Somewhere in the world his own!
And he who never managed this —
Let him steal forth from our throne!
All beings drink joy
On the breasts of nature,
All good, all bad
Follow her trail of roses.
She gave us kisses and vines,
A friend tried in death
Pleasure was given to the worm,
And the cherub stands before God.
Joy is drunk by every creature
From Nature's fair and charming breast;
Every being, good or evil,
Follows in her rosy steps.
Kisses she gave to us, and vines,
And one good friend, tried in death;
The serpent she endowed with base desire
And the cherub stands before God.
Happy how his suns fly
Through heaven's glorious plan,
Run, brothers, your course,
Happy as a hero to victory.
Gladly as His suns do fly
Through the heavens' splendid plan,
Run now, brothers, your own course,
Joyful like a conquering hero
Be embraced, millions!
This kiss for the whole world!
Brothers — over the starry canopy
Must live a dear father.
Embrace each other now, you millions!
The kiss is for the whole wide world!
Brothers — over the starry firmament
A beloved Father must surely dwell.
You fall down, millions?
Do you sense the Creator, world?
look for him over the starry sky,
He must dwell above the stars.
Do you come crashing down, you millions?
Do you sense the Creators presence, world?
Seek Him above the starry firmament,
For above the stars he surely dwells.