Sunday, September 10, 2006

"Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee"


We sang this as our recessional hymn this morning in church. I can't listen to the stirringly beautiful melody without remembering my favorite Beethoven story. I urge you again to listen to one of Beethoven's symphonies this week. The melody in this hymn comes from the final movement of his Ninth Symphony, but any of them would be wonderful to listen to.




"Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee"
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.

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