CARMINA BURANA Text and Translation

Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi 1. O Fortuna O Fortuna, velut Luna statu variabilis, semper crescis aut decrescis; vita detestabilis nunc obdurat et tunc curat ludo mentis aciem, egestatem, potestatem dissolvit ut glaciem. Sors immanis et inanis, rota tu volubilis, status malus, vana salus semper dissolubilis, obumbrata et velata michi quoque niteris; nunc per ludum dorsum nudum fero tui sceleris. Sors salutis et virtutis michi nunc contraria est affectus et defectus semper in angaria. Hac in hora sine mora corde pulsum tangite; quod per sortem sternit fortem, mecum omnes plangite! 2. Fortune plango vulnera Fortune plango vulnera stillantibus ocellis, quod sua michi munera subtrahit rebellis. Verum est, quod legitur fronte capillata, sed plerumque sequitur Occasio calvata. In Fortune solio sederam elatus, prosperitatis vario flore coronatus; quicquid enim florui felix et beatus, nunc a summo corrui gloria privatus. Fortune rota volvitur: descendo minoratus; alter in altum tollitur; nimis exaltatus rex sedet in vertice caveat ruinam! nam sub axe legimus Hecubam reginam. Fortune Empress of the World 1. O Fortune O Fortune, variable as the moon, always dost thou wax and wane. Detestable life, first dost thou mistreat us, and then, whimsically, thou heedest our desires. As the sun melts the ice, so dost thou dissolve both poverty and power. Monstrous and empty fate, thou, turning wheel, art mean, voiding good health at thy will. Veiled in obscurity, thou dost attack me also. To thy cruel pleasure I bare my back. Thou dost withdraw my health and virtue; thou dost threaten my emotion and weakness with torture. At this hour, therefore, let us pluck the strings without delay. Let us mourn together, for fate crushes the brave. 2. The wounds that Fortune
blows

I. Primo Vere 3. Veris leta facies Veris leta facies mundo propinatur, hiemalis acies victa iam fugatur, in vestitu vario Flora principatur, nemorum dulcisono que cantu celebratur. Flore fusus gremio Phoebus novo more risum dat, hoc vario iam stipate flore Zephyrus nectareo spirans in odore; certatim pro bravio curramus in amore. Cytharizat cantico dulcis Philomena, flore rident vario prata iam serena, salit cetus avium silve per amena, chorus promit virginum iam gaudia millena. 4. Omnia Sol temperat Omnia Sol temperat purus et subtilis, novo mundo reserat facies Aprilis, ad Amorem properat animus herilis, et iocundis imperat deus puerilis. Rerum tanta novitas in solemni vere et veris auctoritas iubet nos gaudere; vias prebet solitas, et in tuo vere fides est et probitas tuum retinere. Ama me fideliter! fidem meam nota: de corde totaliter et ex mente tota sum presentialiter absens in remota. quisquis amat taliter, volvitur in rota. 5. Ecce gratum Ecce gratum et optatum Ver reducit gaudia, purpuratum floret pratum, Sol serenat omnia, iamiam cedant tristia! Estas redit, nunc recedit Hyemis sevitia.

I. In Springtime 3. The bright face of Spring The bright face of Spring shows itself to the world, driving away the cold of Winter. Flora reigns in her colorful robes, praised in the canticle of sweet-sounding woods. Phoebus laughs in Floras lap again. Surrounded by flowers, Zephyrus breathes the fragrance of their nectar. Let us compete for the prize of love. The sweet nightingale begins her song; the bright meadows laugh with flowers; Birds flit about the pleasant woods; the maidens chorus brings a thousand joys. 4. Everything is tempered by
the sun

The sun, pure and fine, tempers all; a new world is opened by the face of April. The heart of man rushes to love; and over all the boyish god rules. The power of Natures renovation in the glorious Spring commands us to be joyful. Spring evokes the wonted ways of love. Hold fast thy lover! Love me faithfully, feel the constant adoration of my heart and mind. I am with you even when apart. Whosoever shares my feelings knows the torture of love. 5. Behold the Spring Behold the Spring, welcome and long awaited, which brings back the pleasures of life. The meadow with purple flowers is a-bloom, the sun brightens all things. Now put all sadness aside, for Summer returns, and Winters cold withdraws.

I lament the wounds that Fortune blows with weeping eyes, for she extorts from me her gifts, now pregnant and prodigal, now lean and sear. Once was I seated on Fortunes throne, crowned with a garland of prosperity. In the bloom of my felicity I was struck down and robbed of all my glory. At the turn on Fortunes wheel, one is deposed, another is lifted on high to enjoy a brief felicity. Uneasy sits the king let him beware his ruin, for beneath the axle of the wheel we read: Queen of Hecuba.

Carl Orff Carmina Burana original text and English translation 1937 by Schott Music International, copyright renewed.