Die Gendanken sind frei, my thoughts freely flower
Die Gendanken sind frei, my thoughts give me power
No scholar can map them, no hunter can trap them
No one can deny, die gendanken sind frei

I think as I please and this gives me pleasure
My conscience degrees, this right I must treasure
My thoughts will not cater to duke or dictator
No one can deny, die gendanken sing frei

And should tyrants take me & throw me in prison
My thoughts will burst free like blossoms in season
Foundations will crumble & structures will tumble
And free folk will cry "Die Gendanken sind frei"