patrick.net

"Ode to Joy" is one of Western Civilizations greatest expressions of the human spirit. Beethoven said he composed this piece as a celebration of the Renaissance when political and religious fundamentalism was beginning to be cast off. He had been quoted as saying it was a tribute to the continuous and infinite expansion of human consciousness.

saroya says

a celebration of the Renaissance when political and religious fundamentalism was beginning to be cast off

Nearly 200 years later, we're still trying to cast off political and religious fundamentalism. Still, I can admire the optimism of the Renaissance.

These lyrics might help with the "expansion of human consciousness."

" So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains
And we never even know we have the key"

Already Gone- Songwriters:Tempchin,Jack/Strandlund,Robert Arnold