This file contains standard concert band parts for the melody to Beethoven's, "Ode To Joy." The lyrics to the song were written in 1785 by a poet named Friedrich Schiller.

Completed in 1824 as the final part of his Ninth Symphony, Ludwig Van Beethoven Ode To Joy sets to music the words of the German poet Friedrich Schiller to create one of his final and most well known works. According to historical records, Beethoven was deaf by the time he completed the symphony, and continued to conduct the premiere performance of the piece even after the musicians had finished. Despite this fact, and some negative publicity that followed the premiere , the song achieved great prominence and in modern times its melody has been accepted as the official anthem of the European Union. An audio recording of the Ode To Joy is available via Wikipedia.

Ode To Joy

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Joy, thou glorious spark of heaven,

Daughter of Elysium,

We approach fire-drunk,

Heavenly One, your shrine.

Your magic reunites

What custom's sword separates;

Beggars become princes' brothers

Where your gentle wing alights.