# Lyrics to 'Ode to Joy' **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 1, 2004, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562 "2004-09-01T13:11:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/1 "2004-09-01T13:11:51Z")
I never got anywhere when I tried to learn German, so that colors the rest of this post. I also realize that there’s a small handful of Dopers who profess to be Lutherans, so I will accept the possibility that I won’t get an answer to my question. This past Sunday, our service ended with a hymn that had English language lyrics set to the opening portion of Beethoven’s _Ode to Joy_. I really like to original, but never knew what was sung, because it all sounds like nonsense chorals to my untrained ear. This hymn (#551, Lutheran Book of Worship) had some pretty cool lyrics if you’re into religious music. Sorry, I can’t cite an excerpt. What I’m trying to find out is if what we sang was an accurate (or even loose) translation from the German, or if this was another example of hijacking the instrumentals from one work to create another. Unfortunately, Lutheran church music is full of examples of hijacked music. In any case, #551 went straight to the top of my favorites list… ---
**Author:** ![kellner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c2a13f/32.png) [@kellner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kellner)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/2 "2004-09-01T13:26:38Z")
This is a very literal translation: [http://www.providencesingers.org/Concerts/May03Concert.html](http://www.providencesingers.org/Concerts/May03Concert.html) ---
**Author:** ![Caricci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Caricci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caricci)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/3 "2004-09-01T13:29:24Z")
Is it wrong that I made up words about my cat to that tune? “Mommy loves her Mickey Mona, Mommy loves her Mickey girl!” ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/4 "2004-09-01T13:35:06Z")
> [@kellner](#): > > This is a very literal translation: > > [http://www.providencesingers.org/Concerts/May03Concert.html](http://www.providencesingers.org/Concerts/May03Concert.html) Thanks for the linky. The literal translation wasn’t even close to what we sang. **Caricci** , AFAIAmConcerned, you can sing whatever you want to the cat. I don’t care that we sing hijacked hymns. I was more concerned with what the original form said. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/5 "2004-09-01T13:44:14Z")
Is [this](http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/j/j251.html) the set of words you used, **vunderbob**? They were written in 1908 by Henry Van Dyke as a free translation of Schiller’s “Ode to Joy” (which was about 100 years old at that point) for use in Christian religious services. And the Beethoven music was the obvious setting for them. ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/6 "2004-09-01T13:48:29Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Is [this](http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/j/j251.html) the set of words you used, **vunderbob**? > > They were written in 1908 by Henry Van Dyke as a free translation of Schiller’s “Ode to Joy” (which was about 100 years old at that point) for use in Christian religious services. And the Beethoven music was the obvious setting for them. THAT’S IT!!! Thanks, **Polycarp** ---
**Author:** ![Electronic\_Chaos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Electronic\_Chaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electronic_Chaos)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/7 "2004-09-01T15:24:31Z")
I feel the urge to watch A Clockwork Orange now. _hums a bar of Singin’ in the Rain_ ---
**Author:** ![Mycroft\_Holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a5b964/32.png) [@Mycroft\_Holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mycroft_Holmes)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/8 "2004-09-01T15:41:33Z")
> [@kellner](#): > > This is a very literal translation: > > [http://www.providencesingers.org/Concerts/May03Concert.html](http://www.providencesingers.org/Concerts/May03Concert.html) I kind of disagree with this line: Mische seinen Jubel ein! Mixes in his jubilation! “Mische seinen Jubel ein!” is an imperative, so it should be “Mix in his jubilation!” Other than that it looks like a very close literal translation indeed. I must say I like “Freude, schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium” much more than the text **Polycarp** linked to. Now “An die Freude” will be stuck in my head for the rest of the day. ---
**Author:** ![Mycroft\_Holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a5b964/32.png) [@Mycroft\_Holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mycroft_Holmes)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/9 "2004-09-01T15:50:48Z")
> [@vunderbob](#): > > Unfortunately, Lutheran church music is full of examples of hijacked music. But there are also some stunningly beautiful hymns written by Luther himself and arranged by none other than Johann Sebastian Bach. Stuff like “[Eine feste Burg ist unser Gott](http://www.onlinekunst.de/gedichte/Feste_Burg.htm)” (Palm 46) which is usually sung for the feast of St. Martin, and “[Vom Himmel Hoch da Komm ich Her](http://www.cyberhymnal.org/non/de/vonhimml.htm)” which is still one of the most popular Christmas songs in Germany. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/10 "2004-09-01T16:17:14Z")
> [@Mycroft Holmes](#): > > But there are also some stunningly beautiful hymns written by Luther himself and arranged by none other than Johann Sebastian Bach. Stuff like “[Eine feste Burg ist unser Gott](http://www.onlinekunst.de/gedichte/Feste_Burg.htm)” (Palm 46) which is usually sung for the feast of St. Martin, and “[Vom Himmel Hoch da Komm ich Her](http://www.cyberhymnal.org/non/de/vonhimml.htm)” which is still one of the most popular Christmas songs in Germany. Other beautiful Lutheran Bachiana, though not written by Luther, include [_Wachet Auf_](http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/s/s227.html) (melody by Hans Sachs, words by Philipp Nicolai) and [_Herzlich tut mich, verlangen_](http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/o/o540.html) (melody by Hans L. Hassler, words by Paul Gerhardt). ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/11 "2004-09-01T16:21:32Z")
> [@xgxlx](#): > > I feel the urge to watch A Clockwork Orange now. > > _hums a bar of Singin’ in the Rain_ ::: plays a few bars of Purcell’s “Queen Mary’s Funeral Music” for **xgxlx** ::: ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/12 "2004-09-01T17:08:01Z")
Y’mean it’s not _Movies movies movies movies movies movies mooo-vieees_? ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/13 "2004-09-01T19:00:02Z")
> [@Mycroft Holmes](#): > > But there are also some stunningly beautiful hymns written by Luther himself and arranged by none other than Johann Sebastian Bach. Stuff like “[Eine feste Burg ist unser Gott](http://www.onlinekunst.de/gedichte/Feste_Burg.htm)” (Palm 46) which is usually sung for the feast of St. Martin, and “[Vom Himmel Hoch da Komm ich Her](http://www.cyberhymnal.org/non/de/vonhimml.htm)” which is still one of the most popular Christmas songs in Germany. Continuing the Bach hijack – I find it deliciously ironic that _Ein Feste Burg_ is a favorite hymn in post-Vatican II Catholic services! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jadis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@Jadis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jadis)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/14 "2004-09-01T19:42:26Z")
Dang, **racinchikki** beat me to it. I only know the Starz! version. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/15 "2004-09-01T19:48:04Z")
I’ll never forget [the day I learned there were lyrics to “Ode to Joy”](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=5115640#post5115640). ---
**Author:** ![Mycroft\_Holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a5b964/32.png) [@Mycroft\_Holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mycroft_Holmes)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/16 "2004-09-01T20:56:24Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Continuing the Bach hijack – I find it deliciously ironic that _Ein Feste Burg_ is a favorite hymn in post-Vatican II Catholic services! 🙂 You’re kidding right? Pope Leo X must be spinning in his crypt. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/17 "2004-09-01T21:37:11Z")
1. My wife’s cell phone plays “Ode to Joy” when it rings. She didn’t set it up like that, but she doesn’t know how to change it. 2. Despite the hijacked tune, “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” is one of my favorite hymns. And I’m not even Lutheran! ---
**Author:** ![CBCD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@CBCD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBCD)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/18 "2004-09-01T23:33:06Z")
It’s also in the Episcopal Hymn Book. ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2004, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/19 "2004-09-01T23:59:13Z")
You all _suck_. I am now having horrible _Sister Act 2_ flashbacks. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2004, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562/20 "2004-09-02T00:04:15Z")
We sang it in German, in my highschool choir. I can’t get the lyrics out of my since then; I can’t just hum the tune in my head–it comes out in German. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lyrics-to-ode-to-joy/262562.md?page=2)