The words Beethoven (1770-1827) set to music are by German poet Frederich Schiller (1759-1805). Schiller and Beethoven were products of the Age of Enlightenment. Both the American and French revolutions happened in their lifetimes, and concern for the freedom and rights of all men was utmost in their minds. (Beethoven famously tore up his Third Symphony’s dedication to Napoleon Bonaparte when he learned Napoleon had crowned himself emperor.)
Schiller’s poem, “Ode to Joy,” is reflected in the words of the hymn. But the poem’s words are themselves worth our attention as our country is dragged into authoritarianism by a political party intent upon dividing us from one another in as many directions as it can.
What is the joy Schiller celebrates in his ode? What gives humankind joy? Schiller is very clear that joy comes in knowing that one day “all men will be brothers,” because “a loving Father” above us all has made us all, and intends for us to live as true friends to one another.
Not trusting and living according to such a hope for all is the enemy of joy.
That explains to me why the men and women who are today using their positions in government to divide us often look grim and angry. It is a sad business to despise and denigrate your siblings 24/7.
You cannot know joy when your hold on power depends on your ability to separate and isolate the members of your human family by class, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or anything else you might dream up. When, in order to hold onto your position, you have to keep finding new targets of your fear and wrath, you must make sure no one ever sees a spontaneous spark of pure joy flash from your eyes. Your eyes must look like the eyes of a bird of prey, always searching for its next victim. You dare never relent!
Ever-fearful vigilance leaves no room in the human heart for joy, or even for simple happiness.
The words of Schiller’s poem invite his readers to see that all of us are siblings because all of us are offspring of one creative process (to put it in inclusive and non-theological terms). In our concert, Beethoven’s music pushed our voices into impossibly high ranges as if singing in the stratosphere would finally make us and those who heard us listen, and look, and see the truth to which custom and habit blind us.
Our chorus sang together the joyful hope that one day “alle Menschen werden Brüder”—that one day, all men will become brothers. We all must choose whether we will continue to nurse and feed anger fueled by division and distrust, or embrace the joy of loving the humanity that all of us share. The world is weary of anger. I dare to hope it is not too late for more of us to try the way of joy.
