Music

Ode to Joy: the lyrics and meaning behind the EU anthem, and why a campaign is trying to make it UK No 1 on Brexit Day


Beethoven’s Ninth has taken on a new life as an anti-Brexit anthem.

Tuesday, 28th January 2020, 4:47 pm

These days, every aspect of the EU is the subject of fierce debate. Picture: Shutterstock

Even as the Brexit saga reaches its final days, it continues to divide the nation on matters big and small. From the punctuation on 50 pence pieces to a piece of music written hundreds of years ago, it seems nothing is out of bounds.

Ode to Joy could be making a surprise run on the charts come Brexit day if a certain campaign has its way.

Here’s everything you need to know.

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Ludvig van Beethoven made the poem famous with his symphony. Picture: Rischgitz/Getty Images

When was Ode to Joy written?

The lyrics to Ode to Joy were written by German poet, playwright and historian Friedrich Schiller in 1785.

He then released a revised version in 1808 which dropped the last stanza and altered the first two lines.

However, Schiller was never happy with his work – describing it as having no value “for the world, nor for the art of poetry”. Today it is mostly known as the lyrical accompaniment to the final movement of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

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What do the lyrics mean?

The poem is exactly what its title suggests – a tribute to joy itself, giving thanks for our capacity to feel true, unbridled happiness and the way in which it can unite us all.

Joy, beautiful spark of Divinity [or: of gods],

We enter, drunk with fire,

Heavenly One, thy sanctuary!

What custom strictly divided;

All people become brothers,

Where thy gentle wing abides.

Who has succeeded in the great attempt,

Whoever has won a lovely woman,

Add his to the jubilation!

Indeed, who even just has one soul

To call his own in this world!

And who never managed it should slink

All creatures drink of joy

All the Just, all the Evil

Follow her trail of roses.

Kisses she gave us and grapevines,

A friend, proven in death.

Salaciousness was given to the worm

And the cherub stands before God.

through the heavens’ grand plan

Go on, brothers, your way,

Joyful, like a hero to victory.

This kiss to all the world!

Brothers, above the starry canopy

There must dwell a loving Father.

Are you collapsing, millions?

Do you sense the creator, world?

Seek him above the starry canopy!

Above stars must He dwell.

The poem’s author, Friedrich Schiller, was never entirely happy with it. Picture: Rischgitz/Getty Images

Why is it the EU’s anthem?

In 1985, the European Community (precursor to the European Union) decided to use the prelude to “Ode to Joy as its official anthem.

As such a universally acclaimed composer, Beethoven was widely seen to be the natural selection for a European anthem.

Rather than a replacement for the national anthems of the EU’s members, it was seen as a tribute to their shared ideals: peace, freedom and solidarity.

However, it is worth noting that the poem itself is not used, just the music.

Why are some people trying to make it No 1?

Ever since the UK’s participation in the EU became such a contentious issue, its anthem has too.

In 2017, a group of Scottish Nationalist Party MP’s sang it during a vote at the House of Commons in protest at the way in which Scotland was being pulled out of the EU in spite of having voted against Brexit.

With Brexit Day looming, a campaign to get Andre Rieu’s version of the song to number one in the UK singles charts has begun as a further protest against Brexit.



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