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Die Gedanken sind frei, wer kann sie erraten, sie fliegen vorbei wie nächtliche Schatten. Kein Mensch kann sie wissen, kein Jäger erschießen mit Pulver und Blei: Die Gedanken sind frei! Ich denke was ich will und was mich beglücket, doch alles in der Still', und wie es sich schicket. Mein Wunsch, mein Begehren kann niemand verwehren, es bleibet dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei! Und sperrt man mich ein im finsteren Kerker, das alles sind rein vergebliche Werke. Denn meine Gedanken zerreißen die Schranken und Mauern entzwei, die Gedanken sind frei! Drum will ich auf immer den Sorgen entsagen und will mich auch nimmer mit Grillen mehr plagen. Man kann ja im Herzen stets lachen und scherzen und denken dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei!
Authorship:
- from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , "Die Gedanken sind frei" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Anonymous/Unidentified Artist , "Die Gedanken sind frei" [text verified 1 time]
Set in a modified version by Gustav Mahler.
- Go to the text. [ view differences ] ENG ITA FRE SPA
Available translations, adaptations, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Walter A. Aue) , title 1: "Thoughts are Free", copyright © 2010, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- IRI Irish (Gaelic) [singable] (Gabriel Rosenstock) , title 1: "Bíonn smaointe gan chuing", copyright © 2016, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Walter A. Aue
This text was added to the website: 2010-03-23
Line count: 32
Word count: 123
The thoughts travel free, no-one can detect them, like shadows they flee through night to protect them. The cops cannot grill them and hunters can't kill them: their guns cannot see a thought running free. I think as I choose, my luck's open-ended, but all without clues, so no-one's offended. My want and desire shall find no denier when they find the key: That thoughts must be free! And if they'll be locking me up in their dungeon they shall not be blocking me or my conscience, for thoughts take no orders and will break through borders and walls with esprit: The thoughts, they are free! And thus, from tomorrow, good riddance to sorrow! No more feeling cranky, just more hanky-panky! My heart shan't be hurting, just laughing and flirting, and all shall agree that thoughts must be free!
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2010 by Walter A. Aue, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you must ask the copyright-holder(s) directly for permission. If you receive no response, you must consider it a refusal.
Walter A. Aue. Contact: waue (AT) dal (DOT) ca
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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) from Volkslieder (Folksongs) , "Die Gedanken sind frei"
This text was added to the website: 2010-03-23
Line count: 32
Word count: 139