O friends, not these sounds!
Rather let us turn to sounds more pleasant and more joyful.

Joy, brilliant spark of the gods,
daughter of Elysium,
heavenly being, we enter your sanctuary
intoxicated with fire.
Your spells reunite
that which was strictly divided by convention;
all men become brothers
where your gentle wing rests.

He who has had the good fortune
to find a true friend,
he who has won a loving wife,
let him join in our rejoicing!
Yes, if there is but one other soul
he can call his on the whole earth!
And he who could never accomplish this,
let him steal away weeping from this company!

All creatures drink joy
at Nature’s breasts;
good and evil alike
follow in her trail of roses.
She gave us kisses, and the vine,
and a friend faithful to death;
even the worm was given desire,
and the Cherub stands before God!

Joyfully, as his suns speed
through the glorious expanse of heaven,
brothers, run your course,
joyously, like a hero towards victory!

Receive this embrace, you millions!
This kiss is for the whole world!
Brothers, above the starry vault
a loving father must surely dwell!
Do you fall prostrate, you millions?
World, do you sense your Creator?
Seek him above the starry vault,
he must surely dwell above the stars!