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Freude, schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, Wir betreten feuertrunken, Himmlische, dein Heiligtum! Deine Zauber binden wieder Was die Mode streng geteilt; Alle Menschen werden Brüder Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt. |
A patriot is the person who can holler the loudest without knowing what he is hollering about. Which is what might be the problem with the European Union whose anthem - "Ode to Joy" - is purely instrumental and nothing to holler about.
Just imagine if everyone mimed their way through "Our home is girt by sea" when the band plays "Advance Australia Fair". Come to think of it, doesn't everyone?
Anyway, to promote greater patriotism, the EU is playing with the idea of introducing new lyrics to Friedrich Schiller's old "Ode to Joy".
The distinguished British baritone Robert Bennington is setting a cracking pace but 'ze door is schtill open' for other suggestions.
