It's fairly well known that Beethoven's Ode to Joy (the 4th movement of the 9th symphony) is the European anthem, but less well known that the European version has no words, to avoid the need to translate it two dozen times.
Billy Bragg has recently retranslated the passages from the symphony, taken from Schiller's Ode to Joy, for a performance at the Festival Hall, and I think he's done a great job. Given that English is one of the working languages of the Union, I think the relevant verses are a good candidate for an English set of words:
See now like a phoenix rising From the rubble of the war Hope of ages manifested Peace and freedom evermore! Brothers, sisters stand together Raise your voices now as one - Though by history divided Reconciled in unison
Throw off now the chains of ancient Bitterness and enmity Hand in hand let's walk together On the path of liberty Hark a new dawn now is breaking Lift your voices now in song! Though by history divided Reconciled in unison
Comments