Die Gedanken Sind Frei

Album: German Folk Songs (1229)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Die Gedanken Sind Frei" is a very famous German folk song that is fairly well-known in English, and due to the similarity of the two languages poses few challenges to non-German speakers, in sentiment if not in detail.

    The idea that "thoughts are free" is of course one that can be traced to the very beginnings of philosophy in the ancient world, although this particular song - in 3/4 time - can be dated more accurately.
  • Walther von der Vogelweide (c1170-1230) composed the song "Joch Sint Iedoch Gedanke Fri," but because his music was not written down we cannot know how much if anything the modern song owes to it melodically.

    Dietmar von Aist (presumably) had composed the song "Gedanke Die Sint Ledic Vri" - "Only Thoughts Are Free." About 1229, Freidank wrote: "Diu Bant Mac Nieman Vinden, Diu Mîne Gedanke Binden" - "This Band May No One Twine, That Will My Thoughts Confine."
  • Unsurprisingly, "Die Gedanken Sind Frei" has been a popular protest song in Germany; just as unsurprisingly it was banned by the Hitler régime.
  • There are at least two English translations which are consistent with the German original, including one by Tom Potter. The song is often sung in a mixture of both languages by English-speaking performers, whose ranks have included (predictably) Pete Seeger. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for all above

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Edwin McCain

Edwin McCainSongwriter Interviews

"I'll Be" was what Edwin called his "Hail Mary" song. He says it proves "intention of the songwriter is 180 degrees from potential interpretation by an audience."