Cover art for Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, 4th Movement (English translation) by Ludwig van Beethoven

Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, 4th Movement (English translation)

Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, 4th Movement (English translation) Lyrics

Oh friends, not these tones!
Rather, let us raise our voices in more pleasing
And more joyful sounds!

Joy! (Joy!)
Joy! (Joy!)

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

Whoever has had the great fortune
To 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!

Joy all creatures drink
At the breasts of nature;

All good, all bad
Follow 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!
Glad, as His suns fly
Through the Heaven's glorious design
Run, brothers, your path
Joyful, as a hero to victory


Be embraced, millions!
This kiss for the whole world!
Brothers, above the starry canopy
Must 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

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!

How to Format Lyrics:

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  • Lyrics should be broken down into individual lines
  • Use section headers above different song parts like [Verse], [Chorus], etc.
  • Use italics (<i>lyric</i>) and bold (<b>lyric</b>) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part
  • If you don’t understand a lyric, use [?]

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About

Genius Annotation

The first time in history lyrics were added to a major symphony. And not just any symphony…Beethoven’s Ninth, baby.

“Ode to Joy” is a translation of “Ode an die Freude,” a 1785 poem by the German poet Friedrich Schiller.

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Release Date
May 7, 1824
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