Weekend self-care open thread: Ode to Joy

Well friends, I'm not going to lie. This week has been a kick in the guts.

First, we've had the Slimy Six on the Supreme Court knock out affirmative action, scupper student loan repayment, and legalize anti-gay bigotry.

Then news from the French riots came in. A Holocaust memorial was defiled. The main library in Marseilles was burned to the ground. I don't care what your grievances are; if you do this, you mean nothing to me.

But we go on. We continue. We persevere. And we find joy.

This weekend's self-care will feature just one clip. It's the final movement of Ludwig Van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. It's a setting of a poem by poet Friedrich Schiller. Here are the lyrics, in English translation.

O friends, no more these sounds!

Let us sing more cheerful songs,

more full of joy!

Joy, bright spark of divinity,

Daughter of Elysium,

Fire-inspired we tread

Thy sanctuary.

Thy magic power re-unites

All that custom has divided,

All men become brothers

Under the sway of thy gentle wings.

Whoever has created

An abiding friendship,

Or has won

A true and loving wife,

All who can call at least one soul theirs,

Join in our song of praise;

But any who cannot must creep tearfully

Away from our circle.

All creatures drink of joy

At nature's breast.

Just and unjust

Alike taste of her gift;

She gave us kisses and the fruit of the vine,

A tried friend to the end.

Even the worm can feel contentment,

And the cherub stands before God!

Gladly, like the heavenly bodies

Which He set on their courses

Through the splendor of the firmament;

Thus, brothers, you should run your race,

As a hero going to conquest.

You millions, I embrace you.

This kiss is for all the world!

Brothers, above the starry canopy

There must dwell a loving Father.

Do you fall in worship, you millions?

World, do you know your creator?

Seek him in the heavens;

Above the stars must He dwell.

And for the performance, we shall watch Ricardo Mutti conduct the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

(Skip to 52:51 if you don't want to see the whole symphony.)

Be ever gentle and kind with yourselves, and those around you. We shall soldier on.