Song meaning of Ode to joy\ An die Freude by Beethoven

Song: Ode to joy\ An die Freude

Artist: Beethoven.

Trivia: Beethoven was completely deaf when he embarked on this masterpiece, and it's a tragedy that he never heard a single note of it except inside his head.  Source: Friend

"An die Freude"

"Ode to Joy"

Freude, schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, Wir betreten feuertrunken, Himmlische, dein Heiligtum! Deine Zauber binden wieder Was die Mode streng geteilt*; Alle Menschen werden Brüder* Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt. Wem der große Wurf gelungen Eines Freundes Freund zu sein; Wer ein holdes Weib errungen Mische seinen 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! Freude trinken alle Wesen An den Brüsten der Natur; Alle Guten, alle Bösen Folgen ihrer Rosenspur. Küsse gab sie uns und Reben, Einen Freund, geprüft im Tod; Wollust ward dem Wurm gegeben und der Cherub steht vor Gott. Froh, wie seine Sonnen fliegen Durch des Himmels prächt'gen Plan Laufet, Brüder, eure Bahn, Freudig, wie ein Held zum siegen. Seid umschlungen, Millionen! Diesen Kuß der ganzen Welt! Brüder, über'm Sternenzelt Muß ein lieber Vater wohnen. Ihr stürzt nieder, Millionen? Ahnest du den Schöpfer, Welt? Such' ihn über'm Sternenzelt! Über Sternen muß er wohnen.

Joy, beautiful spark of the gods, Daughter from Elysium, We enter, drunk with fire, Heavenly One, thy sanctuary! Your magic binds again What convention strictly divides;* All people become brothers,* Where your gentle wing abides. Who has succeeded in the great attempt, To be a friend's friend, Whoever has won a lovely woman, Add his to the jubilation! Indeed, who calls even one soul Theirs upon this world! And whoever never managed, shall steal himself Weeping away from this union! 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 has been granted sensuality, And the cherub stands before God! Gladly, as His heavenly bodies fly On their courses through the heavens, Thus, brothers, you should run your race, Joyful, like a hero going to conquest. You millions, be embraced. 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 must He dwell.

The author invites everyone to celebrate and be joyful in paradise\HEAVEN. i.e Elysium.

"to the Elysian plain…where life is easiest for men. No snow is there, nor heavy storm, nor ever rain, but ever does Ocean send up blasts of the shrill-blowing West Wind that they may give cooling to men.— Homer, Odyssey"  

Elysium (film) Max undertakes a dangerous mission to the luxurious space station inhabited by the rich to save his own life. His journey results in the end of injustice and brings equality to the people on earth.

He sees heaven as a powerful place filled with people of all caste and creed and race, living in harmony. He sees that love is the binding force there.

He wants everyone to be part of the jubilee , he wants everyone to take part in the success of others even they do not know each other, in short - he wants everyone to celebrate the success of humanity. Whoever misses out on this union is stealing himself of greater joy.

He calls on everyone present, man , woman, child, beast to celebrate in the kingdom. He asks them to feel the joy of this wonderful kingdom where there are no troubles. The essence of this kingdom is addicting and liberating to all, without any discrimination.

Just like the solar system and other planetary objects that are constantly in their path, revolving around the sun \ other objects majestically and gracefully , so should we complete our race called life by trying to make our journeys more fulfilling and work towards building Elysium\heaven.

The author asks us to search for reason and believe in a higher power to reach greatness for humanity. Above the dreamy Elysium there is God who wants us to reach him in the process we would have achieved what he set out for us. i.e Living peacefully among each other and making progress together as one species. 

Cover: This is a nice cover, kind off a flash mob.