Carmina burana

by Carl Orff
O FORTUNA O FORTUNE

O Fortuna, O Fortune,
velut Luna like the moon
statu variabilis, ever changing,
semper crescis first rising,
aut decrescis; then declining;
vita detestabilis detestable life
nunc obdurat treats us badly,
et tunc curat then with kindness,
ludo mentis aciem; making sport with our desires,
egestatem, causing poverty
potestatem and power
dissolvit ut glaciem. alike to melt like ice.

Sors immanis Fearful destiny

et inanis, and empty fate,
rota tu volubilis, wheel ever turning,
status malus, who makes adversity
vana salus and fleeting health
semper dissolubilis, alike to vanish,
obumbrata darkly
et velata and secretly
mihi quoque niteris; you work against me;
nunc per ludum through your trickery
dorsum nudum my naked back
fero tui sceleris. is turned unprotected to you.

Sors salutis Good fortune

et virtutis and strength
mihi nunc contraria; now are denied me;
est affectus affliction
et defectus and defeat
semper in angaria. are always in waiting.
Hac in hora Come now
sine mora without delay
corde pulsum tangite; and pluck the strings;
quod per sortem and since by fate
sternit fortem the strong are brought down,
mecum omnes plangite. weep now all with me.

Fortune plango vulnera I lament fortune’s wounds

Fortune plango vulnera I lament Fortune’s wounds
stillantibus ocellis, with tearful eyes,
quod sua mihi munera for returning to the attack

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subtrahit rebellis. she takes her gifts from me.
Verum est, quod legitur It is true as they say,
fronte capillata, the handsome head
sed plerumque sequitur now covered with fine hair
occasio calvata. may yet lose it all.

In Fortune solio Once on Fortune’s throne

sederam elatus, I sat exalted
prosperitatis vario and wore prosperity
flore coronatus; like a floral wreath.
quicquid enim florui But from this flowered paradise,
felix et beatus happy and blessed,
nunc a summo corrui I was brought down
gloria privatus. and stripped of my glory.

Fortune rota volvitur: Fortune’s wheel keeps turning,

descendo minoratus; I fall in disgrace
alter in altum tollitur; while another is exalted.
nimis exaltatus But as the King sits on high
rex sedet in vertice let him beware his ruin!
caveat ruinam! For beneath the axle of
Nam sub axe legimus Fortune’s wheel behold
Hecubam reginam. Queen Hecuba.

PRIMO VERE IN SPRINGTIME

Veris leta facies The joyous face of Spring

Veris leta facies The joyous face of Spring
mundo propinatur, is revealed to the world.
hiemalis acies Winter’s army
victa iam fugatur, is vanquished and routed;
in vestitu vario in dappled and colored dress
Flora principatur; is Flora arrayed,
nemorum dulcisono and the woods sweetly resound
que cantu celebratur. with birdsongs in her praise.

Flore fusus gremio Reclining in Flora’s lap,

Phebus novo more Phebus once more
risum dat, hoc vario laughs merrily,
iam stipatur flore. covered with many hued flowers.
Zephyrus nectareo Zephyr inhales
spirans in odore; the perfumed fragrance;
certatim pro bravio so questing for the prize,
curramus in amore. let us compete in love.

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Cytharizat cantico Trilling her song,
dulcis Philomena, sweet Philomel is heard
flore rident vario and with flowers smiling,
prata iam serena; the peaceful meadows lie,
salit oetus avium a flock of birds
silve per amena, rises from the woods,
chorus promit virginum a chorus of maidens
iam gaudia millena. brings a thousand joys.

Omnia Sol temperat All is tempered by the Sun

Omnia Sol temperat purus et subtilis; All is tempered by the Sun so pure
and refined;
novo mundo reserat facies Aprilis, the new world reveals the beauties
of April,
ad amorem properat animus herilis, to thoughts of love the soul now turns,
et iocundis imperat deus puerilis. and in the realm of pleasure the young
god reigns.

Rerum tanta novitas in solemni vere Nature’s great renewal in

solemn Springtime
et veris auctoritas iubet nos gaudere; and Spring’s spectacle bids us
to rejoice;
vias prebet solitas; et in tuo vere so keep to the right path and in
your Springtime,
fides est et probitas tuum retinere. be faithful and honest to your beloved.

Ama me fideliter, fidem meam nota Love me faithfully, and see how I
am faithful
de corde totaliter et ex mente tota. with all my heart and with all my soul.
Sum presentialiter absens in remota, I am with you even when I am
far away;
quisquis amat taliter, volvitur in rota. whoever loves this much is turned
on a rack.

Ecce gratum Behold the welcome

Ecce gratum et optatum ver Behold the welcome, long
reducit gaudia, awaited Spring,
purpuratum floret pratum, sol which returns our pleasure and
serenat omnia. strews flowers all around.
Iamiam cedant tristia! The sun pacifies all; away with sadness!
Estas redit, nunc recedit hyemis sevitia. Summer returns and now departs
cruel winter.

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Iam liquescit et decrescit grando, nix Melt away and vanish, hail, ice
et cetera; and snow;
bruma fugit, et iam sugit, ver the mists flee and Spring nurses at
estatis ubera; Summer’s breast;
illi mens est misera, wretched is the man
qui nec vivit, nec lascivit sub estatis who lives not nor lusts under
dextera. Summer’s spell.

Gloriantur et letantur in They know delight and taste

melle dulcedinis, honeyed sweetness
qui conantur ut utantur who seek and gain Cupid’s prize;
premio Cupidinis;
simus jussu Cypridis let us then submit to Venus’ law,
gloriantes et letantes pares esse Paridis. and joyful and proud be like Paris.

UF DEM ANGER ON THE GREEN

TANZ DANCE

Floret silva nobilis The noble forest

Floret silva nobilis floribus et foliis. The noble forest with flowers and
leaves is decked.
Ubi est antiquus meus amicus? Where is my old, my long time lover?
Hinc equitavit, eia, quis me amabit? He rode off on horseback, alas, who
will love me now?

Floret silva undique, nah mime gesellen The forest is all in bloom, but I long
ist mir we. for my lover.
Gruonet der walt allenthalben, wa ist The forest is all in bloom, where has
min geselle also lange? my lover gone?
Der ist geriten hinnen, o wi, wer sol He rode off on horseback, alas, who
mich minnen? will love me now?

Chramer, gip die varwe mir Merchant, give me colored paint

Chramer, gip die varwe mir Merchant, give me colored paint
die min wengel roete, to paint my cheeks a pleasing red,
damit ich die jungen man that I will make these young men
an ir dank der minnenliebe noete. love me whether they will or not.
Seht mich an, jungen man! Lat mich Look at me, young men! Let me be
iu gevallen! your pleasure!

Minnet, tugendliche man, Love, all you honest men,

minnecliche frouwen! all women who are worthy!
Minne tuot iu hoch gemuot Love shall raise your spirits
unde lat iuch in hohen eren schouwen. and put a spring in your step.

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Seht mich an, jungen man! Lat mich Look at me, young men! Let me be
iu gevallen! your pleasure!

Wol dir, Werlt, das du bist Hail to thee, O world,

also freudenriche! that is so bountiful!
Ich will dir sin undertan I am ever in thy debt
durch din liebe immer sicherliche. most surely for thy goodness.
Seht mich an, jungen man! Lat mich Look at me, young men! Let me be
iu gevallen! your pleasure!

Swaz hie gat umbe They who here dance round

Swaz hie gat umbe daz sint allez megede, They who here dance round are all
young maidens
die wellent an man allen disen sumer gan. who will have no man all this
summer long.

Chume, chum, geselle min, ih enbite Come my dear beloved, I have waited
harte din, for you so long,
ih enbite harte din, chume, chum, come, come, dear beloved!
geselle min.

Suzer rosenvarwer munt, chum une Sweet rosy mouth, come and make me
mache mich gesunt, well again,
chum und mache mich gesunt, suzer come and make me well again, sweet
rosenvarwer munt. rosy mouth!

Were diu werlt alle min If all the world was mine
Were diu werlt alle min von deme mere If all the world was mine from the
unze an den Rin ocean to the Rhine,
des wolt ih mih darben, I’d gladly give it all away
daz diu chunegin von Engellant lege an if the Queen of England lay in
minen armen! my arms!

IN TABERNA IN THE TAVERN

Estuans interius Boiling inside

Estuans interius ira vehementi Boiling inside with violent rage
in amaritudine loquor mee menti: bitterly I speak my mind:
factus de materia, cinis elementi, made of matter, risen from dust,
similis sum folio, de quo ludunt venti. I am like a leaf tossed on the wind.

Cum sit enim proprium viro sapienti But where the wise man builds
his house
supra petram ponere sedem fundamenti, on a firm foundation, I, poor wretch,
stultus ego comparor fluvio labenti, wander like a river,
sub eodem tramite nunquam permanenti. never keeping to a single direction.
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Feror ego veluti sine nauta navis, I drift along like a ship with no pilot,
ut per vias aeris vaga fertur avis; or an aimless bird carried by the wind;
non me tenent vincula, non me no chains bind me, no lock holds me,
tenet clavis,
quero mihi similes, et adiungor pravis. I seek others like me, the ravaged
and depraved.
Mihi cordis gravitas res videtur gravis; My heart’s burdens weigh heavily
upon me;
iocis est amabilis dulciorque favis; joking is pleasant, sweeter than honey;
quicquid Venus imperat, labor est suavis, whatever Venus dictates is
pleasurable labor,
quae nunquam in cordibus she dwells not in timid hearts.
habitat ignavis.

Via lata gradior more iuventutis, I walk the wide path as youth is wont
to do,
inplicor et vitiis immemor virtutis, caught up in vice, I forget virtue,
voluptatis avidus magis quam salutis, I pursue only pleasure and neglect
my health,
mortuus in anima curam gero cutis. dead in spirit, I care only for the flesh.

Olim lacus coleuram Once in lakes I dwelt

Olim lacus colueram, Once in lakes I dwelt,
olim pulcher extiteram, once I dwelt in beauty
dum cygnus ego fueram. when I was a swan.
Miser, miser! Modo niger et ustus fortiter! Woe is me! Now I am black, roasted
on a spit!

Girat, regirat garcifer; Round and round I turn,

me rogus urit fortiter; roasted through and through.
propinat me nunc dapifer. Now the serving boy approaches me.
Miser, miser! Modo niger et ustus fortiter! Woe is me! Now I am black, roasted
on a spit!

Nunc in scutella iaceo, Now I lie in a serving dish,

et volitare nequeo; no longer can I fly;
dentes frendentes video! gnashing teeth I see before me!
Miser, miser! Modo niger et ustus fortiter! Woe is me! Now I am black, roasted
on a spit!

Ego sum abbas I am the abbot

Ego sum abbas Cucaniensis I am the abbot of Cucany,
et consilium meum est cum bibulis, and I like to drink with company,
et in secta Decii voluntas mea est, I am of the sect of Decius,
et qui mane me quaesierit in taberna who meets me early in the tavern

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post vesperam nudus egredietur, by evening has lost his clothes,
et sic denudatus veste clamabit: and having lost them cries out:
Wafna, wafna! quid fecisti O woe, woe! What have you done,
sors turpissima? O Fate?
Nostre vite gaudia abstulisti omnia! All our life’s pleasures thus to
take away!

In taberna quando sumus When we are in the tavern

In taberna quando sumus non curamus When in the tavern, we’ve no thought
quid sit humus, of the grave,
sed ad ludum properamus, cui but rush to the gambling tables, where
semper insudamus. we always toil.
Quid agatur in taberna ubi nummus What happens in the tavern, where
est pincerna, drink is gotten with a coin,
hoc est opus ut queratur; si quid if you wish to know, then listen to
loquar, audiatur. what I say.

Quidam ludunt, quidam bibunt, quidam Some men gamble, some men drink,
indiscrete vivunt. some live indiscreetly.
Sed in ludo qui morantur, ex his Of those who choose to gamble, some
quidam denudantur, lose all their clothes,
quidam ibi vestiuntur, quidam others win new clothes, the unlucky
saccis induuntur. now wear sackcloth.
Ibi nullus timet mortem, sed pro Baccho But there is no fear of death, for
mittunt sortem: Bacchus’s sake we throw the dice:

Primo pro nummata vini ex hac First the dice are thrown for wine;
bibunt libertini; this the libertines drink down;
semel bibunt pro captivis, post hec two toasts to the prisoners, then three
bibunt ter pro vivis, to the living,
quater pro Christianis cunctis, four to all Christian souls, five to
quinquies pro fidelibus defunctis, the departed,
sexies pro sororibus vanis, septies pro six to the wayward sisters, seven to
militibus silvanis. the wanderers.

Octies pro fratribus perversis, Eight to the delinquent brothers,

nonies pro monachis dispersis, nine to the dispersed monks,
decies pro navigantibus, ten to the navigators,
undecies pro discordaniibus, eleven to those at war,
duodecies pro penitentibus, twelve to the penitent,
tredecies pro iter agentibus. thirteen to travelers.
Tam pro papa quam pro rege bibunt Then to the Pope and to the King,
omnes sine lege. all drink without restraint.

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Bibit hera, bibit herus, bibit miles, Mistress drinks, master drinks,
bibit clerus, soldier drinks, parson drinks,
bibit ille, bibit illa, bibit servis this man drinks, that woman drinks,
cum ancilla, servant drinks and serving maid,
bibit velox, bibit piger, bibit albus, the quick man and slow man drink,
bibit niger, the white and black man drink,
bibit constans, bibit vagus, bibit rudis, the homebody and wanderer drink,
bibit magus, the fool and wise man drink,
bibit pauper et aegrotus, bibit exul pauper drinks, sick man drinks,
et ignotus, exile drinks, the unknown drinks,
bibit puer, bibit canus, bibit presul young one drinks, old man drinks,
et decanus, bishop drinks, deacon drinks,
bibit soror, bibit frater, bibit anus, sister drinks, brother drinks,
bibit mater, old maid drinks, mother drinks,
bibit ista, bibit ille, bibunt centum, this one drinks, that one drinks,
bibunt mille. a hundred drink, a thousand drink.

Parum sexcente nummate durant Six hundred coins are not enough
cum immoderate when all of them drink too much
bibunt omnes sine meta. Quamvis and lose all restraint. Even though
bibant mente leta, they are cheerful,
sic nos rodunt omnes gentes et sic many people curse us, always short
erimus egentes. of money.
Qui nos rodunt confundantur et cum May they be confounded and never
iustis non scribantur. listed among the just.

COURS D’AMOURS THE COURT OF LOVE

Amor volat undique Love flies everywhere

Amor volat undique, Love flies everywhere,
captus est libidine. and captured by desire.
Iuvenes, iuvenculae, coniunguntur merito. Young men and women find their mates.
Siqua sine socio, Whoever lacks a partner
caret omni gaudio; misses all the joy;
tenet noctis infima sub intimo cordis and carries in the depths of her heart
in custodia: the darkness of night:
fit res amarissima. what a bitter fate.

Dies, nox et omnia Day and night, all the world

Dies, nox et omnia michi sunt contraria, Day and night, all the world
opposes me,
virginum colloquia me fay planszer, young girls’ voices make me weep,
oy suvenz suspirer, plu me fay temer. or the sound of sighing makes
me tremble.

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O sodales, ludite, vos qui scitis dicite, O friends, be merry, say what you will,
michi mesto parcite, grand ey dolur, but show mercy, for great is my sorrow,
attamen consulite per voster honur. so counsel me for your honor’s sake.

Tua pulchra facies, me fay Your lovely face causes me a

planszer milies, thousand tears,
pectus habens glacies. A ramender for your heart is like ice. But I would
be restored
statim vivus fierem per un baser. at once to life by a single kiss.

Stetit puella A young girl stood

Stetit puella rufa tunica; A young girl stood in a red tunic;
si quis eam tetigit, tunica crepuit. if anyone touched her, the tunic rustled.
Eia! Heigh ho.

Stetit puella, tamquam rosula; A young girl stood fair as a rose;

facie splenduit, os eius floruit. her face was resplendent, her mouth
like a flower.
Eia! Heigh ho.

Circa mea pectora My breast is filled

Circa mea pectora multa sunt suspiria My breast is filled with endless sighs,
de tua pulchritudine, que me longing for your loveliness, and how
ledunt misere. I suffer.
Manda liet, manda liet, min geselle Manda liet, manda liet, my lover does
chumet niet. not come.

Tui lucent oculi sicut solis radii, Your eyes are bright as the rays of
the sun,
sicut splendor fulguris lucem as the splendor of lightning that lights
donat tenebris. the darkness.
Manda liet, manda liet, min geselle chu Manda liet, manda liet, my lover does
met niet. not come.

Vellet Deus, vellent dii, quod May the gods grant the plan I have
mente proposui: in mind:
ut eius virginea reserassem vincula. to release her from the bonds of
her chastity.
Manda liet, manda liet, min geselle Manda liet, manda liet, my lover does
chumet niet. not come.

Si puer cum puellula If a boy and a girl

Si puer cum puellula moraretur If a boy and girl linger together,
in cellula,
felix coniunctio. happy is their union.

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Amore suscrescente, pariter e medio Swelling love leaves and keeps afar
avulso procul tedio, tedious good sense,
fit ludus ineffabilis membris, and ineffable pleasure fills limbs,
lacertis, labiis. arms and lips.
Si puer cum puellula moraretur If a boy and girl linger together,
in cellula,
felix coniunctio. happy is their union.

Veni, veni, venias Come, come, pray come

Veni, veni, venias, ne me mori facias. Come, come, pray come, do not let
me die.
Hyrca, hyrce, nazara; trillirivos. Hyrca, hyrce, nazara; trillirivos.
Pulchra tibi facies, oculorum acies, Your face is so lovely, your
shimmering eyes,
capillorum series, o quam clara species! your braided hair, how beautiful
you are!
Rosa rubicundior, lilio candidior, Redder than the rose, whiter than
the lily,
omnibus formosior, semper in te glorior! fairer than all others, I shall always
glory in you!

In trutina In the scales

In trutina mentis dubia In the scales of my indecision
fluctuant contraria
lascivus amor et pudicitia. love’s pleasure and chastity
are weighed.
Sed eligo quod video, collum But I choose what I see, I submit
iugo prebeo; myself to the yoke,
ad iugum tamen suave transeo. which, after all, is sweet.

Tempus est iocundum Pleasant is the season

Tempus est iocundum, o virgines, Pleasant is the season, o maidens,
modo congaudete vos iuvenes. now rejoice, young men.

Oh, oh, oh, totus floreo, Oh, I blossom with pure love,
iam amore virginali totus ardeo, I am aflame with new love,
novus, novus amor est, quo pereo. from which I perish.

Mea me comfortat promissio, My love comforts me with promises,

mea me deportat negatio. but her refusals then torment me.

Oh, oh, oh, totus floreo, Oh, I blossom with pure love,
iam amore virginali totus ardeo, I am aflame with new love,
novus, novus amor est, quo pereo. from which I perish.

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Tempore brumali vir patiens, In Wintertime a man becomes lazy,
animo vernali lasciviens. but Springtime makes him lively.

Oh, oh, oh, totus floreo, Oh, I blossom with pure love,
iam amore virginali totus ardeo, I am aflame with new love,
novus, novus amor est, quo pereo. from which I perish.

Mea mecum ludit virginitas, My chastity teases me,

mea me detrudit simplicitas. but my innocence and timidity hold
me back.

Oh, oh, oh, totus floreo, Oh, I blossom with pure love,
iam amore virginali totus ardeo, I am aflame with new love,
novus, novus amor est, quo pereo. from which I perish.

Veni, domicella, cum gaudio, Come, darling, come joyfully,

veni, veni, pulchra, iam pereo. come sweet beauty, lest I die.

Oh, oh, oh, totus floreo, Oh, I blossom with pure love,
iam amore virginali totus ardeo, I am aflame with new love,
novus, novus amor est, quo pereo. from which I perish.

Dulcissime Sweetest boy

Dulcissime, Sweetest boy,
totam tibi subdo me! I give myself completely to you!

BLANZIFLOR ET HELENA BLANZIFLOR AND HELEN

Ave formosissima Hail to thee most lovely

Ave formosissima, gemma pretiosa, Hail to thee most lovely, most
precious jewel,
ave decus virginum, virgo gloriosa, hail, pride of virgins, glorious virgin,
ave mundi luminar, ave mundi rosa, hail, light of the world, hail, rose of
the world,
Blanziflor et Helena, Venus generosa. Blanziflor and Helena, hail,
noble Venus.

O FORTUNA O FORTUNE

O Fortuna, velut Luna statu variabilis, O Fortune! Ever changing, like the moon,
semper crescis aut decrescis… first rising, then declining…
etc. etc.

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