Beethoven wrote nine symphonies. He was an amazing composer, creating wonderful music during his later years even though he had gone deaf. One of his best known symphonic melodies in the choral world is the “Ode to Joy” from his final symphony, the tune for the hymn Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee.
Joyful, joyful, we adore You / God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before You / Op’ning 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 Your works with joy surround You / Earth and heav’n reflect Your rays,
Stars and angels sing around You / Center of unbroken praise;
Field and forest, vale and mountain / Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain / Praising You eternally!
Always giving and forgiving / Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living / Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Loving Father, Christ our Brother / Let Your light upon us shine;
Teach us how to love each other / Lift us to the joy divine.
Mortals, join the mighty chorus / Which the morning stars began;
God’s own love is reigning o’er us / Joining people hand in hand.
Ever singing, march we onward / Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us sunward / In the triumph song of life.
This arrangement of the “Ode to Joy” theme from the famous Ninth Symphony contains excitement… and humor! As our pastor said after we played it in church, “Beethoven never sounded so good.” 🙂
We also have an organ accompaniment by T. Paul Rosas to go with the eight-bell score!
Hymn tune: ODE TO JOY
Find metrically-matched hymn texts
| Standard Version: | ||
| Score Package: | $7.00 US | |
| G5-based practice track: | $2.00 US | |
| F5-based practice track: | $2.00 US | |
| Standard Version with Organ Accomapaniment: | ||
| Score Package: | $12.00 US |
Services at Los Altos United Methodist Church, May 22, 2016:
Concert with Philadelphia Bronze, accompanied by Ross Boerner, May 31, 2015:
Other arrangements available as an arrangement for twelve handbells.
Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment/instrumental score(s), if part of the purchase) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.
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