Wolfgang, thanks for posting the German translation of this GREAT song. (It should be dedicated to "Big Brother" John Ashcroft!) I think I learned it back in the '50s from the singing of Pete Seeger. I've heard the German words and remember even singing them, but somehow misplaced them and can find only English verses in my old hand-printed notebook. Wait!! I found it!! I have a dozen or more of the little song books published by Lynn Rohrbough of the old Cooperative Recreation Service of Delaware, Ohio, through their Cooperative Song Service. My favorite is called "Work and Sing: An International Songbook", and it has 4 verses of Die Gedanken Sind Frei" in both German and English. In 1951, '53 and '54 I participated in summer "Work Camps" operated by the American Friends Service Committee (Quakers) on Indian Reservations here in the U.S. and THAT was where I first learned it! The work camps usually had several foreign students and they would teach us songs in their languages. That was where I started collecting those song books.

Joe, your 3 verses in English are identical to mine. However, I also have 4 additional verses in English in my notebook. Is anyone familiar with these? Are they original or a recent addition? Is there a translation of these into German?

1. My thoughts they are free as night time's quick shadows.
   Their flight none can see, there form not one soul knows.
   They fear not the arrow, no hunter can harrow,
   I'll sing it merrily; my thoughts they are free!
   
   
2. I think as I will, what e'er gives me pleasure.
   So quiet, so still, my thoughts none can measure.
   My thoughts you can't tether, not all men together,
   I'll sing it thankfully; my thoughts they are free!
   
   
3. What then if my foes my body imprison?
   Don't let them suppose how short is their vision.
   Walls are but a token, by thoughts quickly broken,
   I'll sing defiantly; my thoughts they are free!
   
   
4. So I will disdain all worry and fretting.
   No thoughts entertain of sorrow's begetting.
   At heart I will smile, then, be merry the while, then,
   And sing it joyously; my thoughts they are free!

Reiver 2