I stepped forward into this life that had danger
It only occurred to me that it meant more later
To live a life that meant more than I could see
My love for many, for those who cared for me
I was blessed beyond, and so I thank the world
Being so much more, something unpredictable
When I could be empty, without love or mercy
The grace I've experienced goes well beyond
And those who are in this land, are glorious
"Joy, thou spark from Heav'n immortal,
Daughter of Elysium!
Drunk with fire, toward Heaven advancing
Goddess, to thy shrine we come.
Thy sweet magic brings together
What stern Custom spreads afar;
All men become brothers
Where thy happy wing-beats are."
Friedrich Schiller
