Die Gedanken sind frei

"Die Gedanken sind frei" ("Thoughts are free") is a German song. The text and the melody can be found in Lieder der Brienzer Mädchen, printed in Bern, Switzerland between 1810 and 1820. The lyricist and the composer are unknown, though some attribute the text to Ferdinand Freiligrath.

The idea represented in the title — that thoughts are free — was expressed as early as the Middle Ages by Walther von der Vogelweide (1170-1230), who sang: "Sind doch Gedanken frei" ("Thoughts are certainly free"). The Austrian Minnesänger Dietmar von Aist (12th century) composed the line "Die Gedanken, die sind ledig frei" ("only thoughts are free").

A slightly different version of the text can be found under the title "Lied des Verfolgten im Turm" ("Song of the persecuted in the tower") in Achim von Arnim and Clemens Brentano's circa 1800 folk poetry collection Des Knaben Wunderhorn. This version was given a new musical setting by Gustav Mahler in the 1890s.

The song originally had four strophes to which a fifth was later added. Today, their order may vary. During the German Revolution (1848/1849) and in Nazi Germany, the song was forbidden. Pete Seeger recorded the song in 1966 on his Dangerous Songs!? album.

Part of this poem was also made into a song by the band Brazilian Girls.

The lyrics

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!

Ich liebe den Wein, mein Mädchen vor allen,
sie tut mir allein am besten gefallen.
Ich bin nicht alleine bei meinem Glas Weine,
mein Mädchen dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei!

The thoughts are free, who can ever guess them?
They just fly by like nocturnal shadows.
No man can know them, no hunter can shoot them,
with powder and lead: The thoughts are free!

I think what I want, and what makes me happy,
but always discreetly, and as it is suitable.
My wish and desire, no one can deny me
and so it will always be: The thoughts are free!

And if I am thrown into the darkest dungeon,
all this would be effortless work,
because my thoughts tear all gates
and walls apart. The thoughts are free!

So I will renounce my sorrows forever,
and never again will torture myself with some fancy ideas.
In one's heart, one can always laugh and joke
and think at the same time: The thoughts are free!

I love the wine, and my girl even more,
Only I like her best of all.
I'm not alone with my glass of wine,
my girl is with me: The thoughts are free!

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