The current version is from 1842, but variants from 1780 exist and fragments appear to date from the 13th century. As one might expect, it’s been used as a protest song against many repressive governments over the centuries. Those old enough to remember East Germany may attach special weight to this song.
(Sadly, this pattern now includes neonazis facing government censorship. What can you do?)
Audio recording here (there are many others)
Direct English translation (courtesy of wikipedea):
Thoughts are free, who can guess them?
They fly by like nocturnal shadows.
No person can know them, no hunter can shoot them
with powder and lead: Thoughts are free!I think what I want, and what delights me,
still always reticent, and as it is suitable.
My wish and desire, no one can deny me
and so it will always be: Thoughts are free!And if I am thrown into the darkest dungeon,
all these are futile works,
because my thoughts tear all gates
and walls apart: Thoughts are free!So I will renounce my sorrows forever,
and never again will torture myself with whimsies.
In one’s heart, one can always laugh and joke
and think at the same time: Thoughts are free!I love wine, and my girl even more,
Only her I like best of all.
I’m not alone with my glass of wine,
my girl is with me: Thoughts are free!
A looser English translation that preserves poetic structure is offered below. Written by Daniel Speyer and not yet field-tested.
Die Gedanken sind frei, wer kann sie errathen?
Sie fliegen vorbei wie nächtliche Schatten.
Kein Mensch kann sie wissen, kein Jäger sie schießen.
Es bleibet dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei.
Ich denke was ich will und was mich beglücket,
doch alles inder Still', und wie es sich schicket.
Mein Wunsch und Begehren kann niem and verwehren,
es blei bet dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei
Und sperrt man mich ein im finsteren Kerker,
das alles sind rein verge bliche Werke.
Denn meine Gedanken zerreißen die Schranken
und Mauern entzwei: Die Gedanken sind frei!
Drum will ich auf immerden Sorgen entsagen
und will mich auch nimmermit Grillen mehr pla gen.
Man kann ja im Herzen stets lachen und scherzen
und denken dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei!
Ich liebe den Wein, mein Mädchen vor allen,
sie tut mir allein am besten gefallen.
Ich sitz nicht alleine bei meinem Glas Weine,
mein Mädchen dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei!
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English Version
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Oh my thinking is free. No one can it harness.
My logic soars high, like owls in darkness.
No spy can display it; no hunter can slay it;
With Glock nor Uzi. For my thinking is free!
Yes I think as I choose and by my desire.
The world may grow still; my int'rest seeks higher.
My values implicit: no one can inhibit.
As always it'll be. For my thinking is free!
Even if I am cast into deepest dungeon.
It gives them no aid; no game have they won then.
If rampart and tower face thinking's own power,
They'll soon cease to be. Still my thinking is free!
So I bid a farewell to sorrow forever.
So petty misery will trouble me never.
Odd wordplay and deep truths, romances and neat proofs.
Stay always in me. For my thinking is free!
Stay always in me. For my thinking is free!
