Carmina Burana
Carl Orff
O Fortuna O Fortune
Velut luna like the moon
Statu variabilis, you are changeable
Semper crescis ever waxing
Aut decrescis; and waning
Vita detestabilis hateful life
Nunc obdurat first oppresses
Et tunc curat and then soothes
Ludo mentis aciem, as fancy takes it
Egestatem, poverty
Potestatem and power
Dissolvit ut glaciem. it melts them like ice
Sors immanis Fate - monstrous
Et inanis, and empty
Rota tu volubilis, you whirling wheel
Status malus, you are malevolent
Vana salus well-being is vain
Semper dissolubilis, and always fades to nothing
Obumbrata shadowed
Et velata and veiled
Michi quoque niteris; you plague me too
Nunc per ludum now through the game
Dorsum nudum I bring my bare back
Fero tui sceleris. to your villainy
Sors salutis Fate is against me
Et virtutis in health
Michi nunc contraria, and virtue
Est affectus driven on
Et defectus and weighted down
Semper in angaria. always enslaved
Hac in hora So at this hour
Sine mora without delay
Corde pulsum tangite; pluck the vibrating strings
Quod per sortem since Fate
Sternit fortem, strikes down the string man
Mecum omnes plangite! everyone weep with me!
2. Fortune plango vulnera (I bemoan the wounds of Fortune)
Fortune plango vulnera I bemoan the wounds of Fortune
Stillantibus ocellis with weeping eyes
Quod sua michi munera for the gifts she made me
Subtrahit rebellis. she perversely takes away
Verum est, quod legitur, It is written in truth
Fronte capillata, that she has a fine head of hair
Sed plerumque sequitur but, when it comes to seizing an opportunity
Occasio calvata. she is bald
In Fortune solio On Fortune's throne
Sederam elatus, I used to sit raised up
Prosperitatis vario crowned with
Flore coronatus; the many-coloured flowers of prosperity
Quicquid enim florui though I may have flourished
Felix et beatus, happy and blessed
Nunc a summo corrui now I fall from the peak
Gloria privatus. deprived of glory
Fortune rota volvitur: The wheel of Fortune turns
Descendo minoratus; I go down, demeaned
Alter in altum tollitur; another is raised up
Nimis exaltatus far too high up
Rex sedet in vertice sits the king at the summit -
Caveat ruinam! let him fear ruin!
Nam sub axe legimus for under the axis is written
Hecubam reginam. Queen Hecuba
PRIMO VERE (SPRING)
3 Veris leta facies (The merry face of spring)
Veris leta facies The merry face of spring
Mundo propinatur, turns to the world
Hiemalis acies sharp winter
Victa iam fugatur, now flees, vanquished
In vestitu vario bedecked in various colours
Flora principatur, Flora reigns
Nemorum dulcisono the harmony of the woods
Que cantu celebratur. praises her in song. Ah!
Flore fusus gremio Lying in Flora's lap
Phebus novo more Phoebus once more
Risum dat, hac vario smiles, now covered
Iam stipate flore. in many-coloured flowers
Zephyrus nectareo Zephyr breathes nectar-
Spirans in odore. scented breezes
Certatim pro bravio Let us rush to compete
Curramus in amore. for love's prize. Ah!
Cytharizat cantico In harp-like tones sings
Dulcis Philomena, the sweet nightingale
Flore rident vario with many flowers
Prata iam serena, the joyous meadows are laughing
Salit cetus avium a flock of birds rises up
Silve per amena, through the pleasant forests
Chorus promit virgin the chorus of maidens
Iam gaudia millena. already promises a thousand joys. Ah!
4 Omnia sol temperat (The sun warms everything)
Omnia sol temperat The sun warms everything
Purus et subtilis, pure and gentle
Novo mundo reserat once again it reveals to the world
Faciem Aprilis, April's face
Ad amorem properat the soul of man
Animus herilis is urged towards love
Et iocundis imperat and joys are governed
Deus puerilis. by the boy-god
Rerum tanta novitas All this rebirth
In solemni vere in spring's festivity
Et veris auctoritas and spring's power
Jubet nos gaudere; bids us to rejoice
Vias prebet solitas, it shows us paths we know well
Et in tuo vere and in your springtime
Fides est et probitas it is true and right
Tuum retinere. to keep what is yours
Ama me fideliter, Love me faithfully!
Fidem meam noto: See how I am faithful:
De corde totaliter with all my heart
Et ex mente tota and with all my soul
Sum presentialiter I am with you
Absens in remota, even when I am far away
Quisquis amat taliter, Whosoever loves this much
Volvitur in rota. turns on the wheel
5 Ecce gratum (Chorus) (Behold, the pleasant spring)
Ecce gratum Behold, the pleasant
Et optatum and longed-for
Ver reducit gaudia, spring brings back joyfulness
Purpuratum violet flowers
Floret pratum, fill the meadows
Sol serenat omnia. the sun brightens everything
Iamiam cedant tristia! sadness is now at an end!
Estas redit, Summer returns
Nunc recedit now withdraw
Hyemis sevitia. the rigours of winter. Ah!
Iam liquescit Now melts
Et decrescit and disappears
Grando, nix et cetera; ice, snow and the rest
Bruma fugit, winter flees
Et iam sugit and now spring sucks at summer's breast:
Ver Estatis ubera; a wretched soul is he
Illi mens est misera, who does not live
Qui nec vivit, or lust
Nec lascivit under summer's rule. Ah!
Sub Estatis dextera
Gloriantur They glory
Et letantur and rejoice
In melle dulcedinis, in honeyed sweetness
Qui conantur, who strive
Ut utantur to make use of
Premio Cupidinis: Cupid's prize
Simus jussu Cypridis at Venus' command
Gloriantes let us glory
Et letantes and rejoice
Pares esse Paridis. in being Paris' equals. Ah!
Uf dem anger
6. Tanz (Dance)
7. Floret silva nobilis (The woods are burgeoning)
(Chorus)
Floret silva nobilis The noble woods are burgeoning
Floribus et foliis. with flowers and leaves
(Small Chorus)
Ubi est antiquus Where is the lover
Meus amicus? I knew? Ah!
Hinc equitavit, He has ridden off!
Eia, quis me amabit? Oh! Who will love me? Ah!
(Chorus)
Floret silva undique, The woods are burgeoning all over
Nah min gesellen ist mir we. I am pining for my lover
(Small Chorus)
Gruonet der walt allenthalben, The woods are turning green all over
Wa ist min geselle alse lange? why is my lover away so long? Ah!
Der ist geriten hinnen, He has ridden off
O wi, wer sol mich minnen? Oh woe, who will love me? Ah!
8. Chramer, gip die varwe mir (Shopkeeper, give me colour)
(Semi-Chorus)
Chramer, gip die varwe mir, Shopkeeper, give me colour
Die min wengel roete, to make my cheeks red
Damit ich die jungen man so that I can make the young men
An ir dank der minnenliebe noete. love me, against their will
Seht mich an, Look at me
Jungen man! young men!
Lat mich iu gevallen! Let me please you!
Minnet, tugentliche man, Good men, love
Minnecliche frouwen! women worthy of love!
Minne tuot iu hoch gemout Love ennobles your spirit
Unde lat iuch in hohen eren schouwen and gives you honour
Seht mich an Look at me
Jungen man! young men!
Lat mich iu gevallen! Let me please you!
Wol dir, werit, daz du bist Hail, world
Also freudenriche! so rich in joys!
Ich will dir sin undertan I will be obedient to you
Durch din liebe immer sicherliche. because of the pleasures you afford
Seht mich an, Look at me
Jungen man! young men!
Lat mich iu gevallen! Let me please you!
9. Reie (Round dance)
Swaz hie gat umbe
Swaz hie gat umbe, Those who go round and round
Daz sint alles megede, are all maidens
Die wellent an man they want to do without a man
Allen disen sumer gan! all summer long. Ah! Sla!
Chume, chum, geselle min
Chume, chum, geselle min, Come, come, my love
Ih enbite harte din, I long for you
Ih enbite harte din, I long for you
Chume, chum, geselle min. come, come, my love
Suzer rosenvarwer munt, Sweet rose-red lips
Chum un mache mich gesunt come and make me better
Chum un mache mich gesunt, come and make me better
Suzer rosenvarwer munt sweet rose-red lips
Swaz hie gat umbe
Swaz hie gat umbe, Those who go round and round
Daz sint alles megede, are all maidens
Die wellent an man they want to do without a man
Allen disen sumer gan! all summer long. Ah! Sla!
10. Were diu werlt alle min (Were all the world mine)
Were diu werlt alle min Were all the world mine
Von deme mere unze an den Rin from the sea to the Rhine
Des wolt ih mih darben, I would starve myself of it
Daz diu chunegin von Engellant so that the queen of England
Lege an minen armen. might lie in my arms
IN TABERNA
11. Estuans interius (Burning Inside)
Estuans interius Burning inside
Ira vehementi with violent anger
In amaritudine bitterly
Loquor mee menti: I speak to my heart:
Factus de materia, created from matter
Cinis elementi of the ashes of the elements
Similis sum folio, I am like a leaf
De quo ludunt venti. played with by the winds
Cum sit enim proprium If it is the way
Viro sapienti of the wise man
Supra petram ponere to build
Sedem fundamenti, foundations on stone
Stultus ego comparor the I am a fool, like
Fluvio labenti, a flowing stream
Sub eodem tramite which in its course
Nunquam permanenti. never changes
Feror ego veluti I am carried along
Sine nauta navis, like a ship without a steersman
Ut per vias aeris and in the paths of the air
Vaga fertur avis; like a light, hovering bird
Non me tenent vincula, chains cannot hold me
Non me tenet clavis, keys cannot imprison me
Quero mihi similes I look for people like me
Et adiungor pravis. and join the wretches
Mihi cordis gravitas The heaviness of my heart
Res videtur gravis; seems like a burden to me
Iocis est amabilis it is pleasant to joke
Dulciorque favis; and sweeter than honeycomb
Quicquid Venus imperat, whatever Venus commands
Labor est suavis, is a sweet duty
Que nunquam in cordibus she never dwells
Habitat ignavis. in a lazy heart
Via lata gradior I travel the broad path
More iuventutis as is the way of youth
Inplicor et vitiis I give myself to vice
Immemor virtutis, unmindful of virtue
Voluptatis avidus I am eager for the pleasures of the flesh
Magis quam salutis, more than for salvation
Mortuus in anima my soul is dead
Curam gero cutis. so I shall look after the flesh
12. Cignus ustus cantat (The Roast Swan)
Olim lacus colueram, Once I lived on lakes
Olim pulcher extiteram, once I looked beautiful
Dum cignus ego fueram. when I was a swan
(Male chorus)
Miser, miser! Misery me!
Modo niger Now black
Et ustus fortiter! and roasting fiercely!
(Tenor)
Girat, regirat garcifer; The servant is turning me on the spit
Me rogus urit fortiter; I am burning fiercely on the pyre:
Propinat me nunc dapifer, the steward now serves me up
(Male Chorus)
Miser, miser! Misery me!
Modo niger Now black
Et ustus fortiter! and roasting fiercely!
(Tenor)
Nunc in scutella iaceo, Now I lie on a plate
Et volitare nequeo and cannot fly anymore
Dentes frendentes video: I see bared teeth:
(Male Chorus)
Miser, miser! Misery me!
Modo niger Now black
Et ustus fortiter! and roasting fiercely!
13. Ego sum abbas (I am the abbot)
Ego sum abbas Cucaniensis I am the abbot of Cockaigne
Et consilium meum est cum bibulis, and my assembly is one of drinkers
Et in secta Decii voluntas mea est, and I wish to be in the order of Decius
Et qui mane me quesierit in taberna, and whoever searches me out at the
Tavern in the morning
Post vesperam nudus egredietur, after Vespers he will leave naked
Et sic denudatus veste clamabit: and thus stripped of his clothes he
Will call out:
(Baritone and Male Chorus)
Wafna, wafna! Woe! Woe!
Quid fecisti sors turpassi what have you done, vilest Fate?
Nostre vite gaudia the joys of my life
Abstulisti omnia! you have taken all away!
14. In taberna quando sumus (When we are in the tavern)
In taberna quando sumus When we are in the tavern
Non curamus quid sit humus, we do not think how we will go to dust
Sed ad ludum properamus, but we hurry to gamble
Cui semper insudamus. which always makes us sweat
Quid agatur in taberna What happens in the tavern
Ubi nummus est pincerna, where money is host
Hoc est opus ut queratur, you may well ask
Si quid loquar, audiatur. and hear what I say
Quidam ludunt, quidam bibunt, Some gamble, some drink
Quidam indiscrete vivunt. some behave loosely
Sed in ludo qui morantur, But of those who gamble
Ex his quidam denudantur some are stripped bare
Quidam ibi vestiuntur, some win their clothes here
Quidam saccis induuntur. some are dressed in sacks
Ibi nullus timet mortem Here no-one fears death
Sed pro Baccho mittunt sortem: but they throw the dice in the name of
Bacchus
Primo pro nummata vini, First of all it is to the wine-merchant
Ex hac bibunt libertini; the the libertines drink
Semel bibunt pro captivis, one for the prisoners
Post hec bibunt ter pro vivis, three for the living
Quater pro Christianis cunctis four for all Christians
Quinquies pro fidelibus defunctis, five for the faithful dead
Sexies pro sororibus vanis, six for the loose sisters
Septies pro militibus silvanis. seven for the footpads in the wood
Octies pro fratribus perversis, Eight for the errant brethren
Nonies pro monachis dispersis, nine for the dispersed monks
Decies pro navigantibus ten for the seamen
Undecies pro discordaniibus, eleven for the squabblers
Duodecies pro penitentibus, twelve for the penitent
Tredecies pro iter agentibus. thirteen for the wayfarers
Tam pro papa quam pro rege To the Pope as to the king
Bibunt omnes sine lege. they all drink without restraint
Bibit hera, bibit herus, The mistress drinks, the master drinks
Bibit miles, bibit clerus, the soldier drinks, the priest drinks
Bibit ille, bibit illa, the man drinks, the woman drinks
Bibit servis cum ancilla, the servant drinks with the maid
Bibit velox, bibit piger, the swift man drinks, the lazy man drinks
Bibit albus, bibit niger, the white man drinks, the black man drinks
Bibit constans, bibit vagus, the settled man drinks, the wanderer drinks
Bibit rudis, bibit magnus. the stupid man drinks, the wise man drinks
Bibit pauper et egrotus, The poor man drinks, the sick man drinks
Bibit exul et ignotus, the exile drinks, and the stranger
Bibit puer, bibit canus, the boy drinks, the old man drinks
Bibit presul et decanus, the bishop drinks, and the deacon
Bibit soror, bibit frater, the sister drinks, the brother drinks
Bibit anus, bibit mater, the old lady drinks, the mother drinks
Bibit ista, bibit ille, this man drinks, that man drinks
Bibunt centum, bibunt mille. a hundred drink, a thousand drink
Parum sexcente nummate Six hundred pennies would hardly
Durant, cum immoderate suffice, if everyone
Bibunt omnes sine meta. drinks immoderately and immeasurably
Quamvis bibant mente leta, However much they cheerfully drink
Sic nos rodunt omnes gentes we are the ones whom everyone scolds
Et sic erimus egentes. and thus we are destitute
Qui nos rodunt confundantur May those who slander us be cursed
Et cum iustis non scribantur. and may their names not be written in the
Book of the righteous
III. COUR D'AMOURS
15. Amor volat undique (Cupid flies everywhere)
Amor volat undique, Cupid flies everywhere
Captus est libidine. seized by desire
Iuvenes, iuvencule Young men and women
Coniunguntur merito. are rightly coupled
(Soprano)
Siqua sine socio, The girl without a lover
Caret omni gaudio; misses out on all pleasures
Tenet noctis infima she keeps the dark night
Sub intimo hidden
Cordis in custodia: in the depth of her heart
(Boys)
Fit res amarissima. it is a most bitter fate
16. Dies, nox et omnia (Day, night and everything)
Dies, nox et omnia Day, night and everything
Michi sunt contraria; is against me
Virginum colloquia the chattering of maidens
Me fay planszer, makes me weep
Oy suvenz suspirer, and often sigh
Plu me fay temer. and, most of all, scares me
O sodales, ludite, O friends, you are making fun of me
Vos qui scitis dicite you do not know what you are saying
Michi mesto parcite, spare me, sorrowful as I am
Grand ey dolur, great is my grief
Attamen consulite advise me at least
Per voster honur. by your honour
Tua pulchra facies Your beautiful face
Me fay planszer milies, makes me weep a thousand times
Pectus habet glacies. your heart is of ice
A remender As a cure
Statim vivus fierem I would be revived
Per un baser. by a kiss
17. Stetit puella (A girl stood)
Stetit puella A girl stood
Rufa tunica; in a red tunic
Si quis eam tetigit, if anyone touched it
Tunica crepuit. the tunic rustled
Eia. Eia!
Stetit puella A girl stood
Tamquam rosula; like a little rose:
Facie splenduit, her face was radiant
Os eius fioruit. and her mouth in bloom
Eia. Eia!
18. Circa mea pectora (In my heart)
(Baritone and Chorus) In my heart
Circa mea pectora In my heart
Multa sunt suspiria there are many sighs
De tua pulchritudine, for your beauty
Que me ledunt misere. which wound me sorely. Ah!
Manda liet, Mandaliet
Manda liet mandaliet
Min geselle my lover
Chumet niet. does not come
Tui lucent oculi Your eyes shine
Sicut solis radii, like the rays of the sun
Sicut splendor fulguris like the flashing of lightening
Lucem donat tenebris. which brightens the darkness. Ah!
Manda liet Mandaliet
Manda liet, mandaliet
Min geselle my lover
Chumet niet. does not come
Vellet deus, vallent dii May God grant, may the gods grant
Quod mente proposui: what I have in mind:
Ut eius virginea that I may loose
Reserassem vincula. the chains of her virginity. Ah!
Manda liet, Mandaliet
Manda liet, mandaliet
Min geselle my lover
Chumet niet. does not come
19. Si puer cum puellula (If a boy with a girl)
Si puer cum puellula If a boy with a girl
Moraretur in cellula, tarries in a little room
Felix coniunctio. happy is their coupling
Amore suscrescente Love rises up
Pariter e medio and between them
Avulso procul tedio, prudery is driven away
Fit ludus ineffabilis an ineffable game begins
Membris, lacertis, labii in their limbs, arms and lips
20. Veni, veni, venias (Come, come, O come)
Veni, veni, venias Come, come, O come
Veni, veni, venias, Come, come, O come
Ne me mori facias, do not let me die
Hyrca, hyrce, nazaza, hycra, hycre, nazaza
Trillirivos... trillirivos!
Pulchra tibi facies Beautiful is your face
Oculorum acies, the gleam of your eye
Capillorum series, your braided hair
O quam clara species! what a glorious creature!
Rosa rubicundior, redder than the rose
Lilio candidior whiter than the lily
Omnibus formosior, lovelier than all others
Semper in te glorior! I shall always glory in you!
21. In truitina (In the balance)
In truitina mentis dubia In the wavering balance of my feelings
Fluctuant contraria set against each other
Lascivus amor et pudicitia. lascivious love and modesty
Sed eligo quod video, But I choose what I see
Collum iugo prebeo: and submit my neck to the yoke
Ad iugum tamen suave transeo. I yield to the sweet yoke
22. Tempus es iocundum (This is the joyful time)
Tempus es iocundum, This is the joyful time
O virgines, O maidens
Modo congaudete rejoice with them
Vos iuvenes. young men!
(Baritone)
Oh, oh, oh, Oh! Oh! Oh!
Totus floreo, I am bursting out all over!
Iam amore virginali I am burning all over with first love!
Totus ardeo, New, new love is what I am dying of!
Novus, novus amor
Est, quo pereo
(Women)
Mea me confortat I am heartened
Promissio, by my promise
Mea me deportat I am downcast by my refusal
(Soprano and boys)
Oh, oh, oh Oh! Oh! Oh!
Totus floreo I am bursting out all over!
Iam amore virginali I am burning all over with first love!
Totus ardeo, New, new love is what I am dying of!
Novus, novus amor
Est, quo pereo
(Men)
Tempore brumali In the winter
Vir patiens, man is patient
Animo vernali the breath of spring
Lasciviens. makes him lust
(Baritone)
Oh, oh, oh, Oh! Oh! Oh!
Totus floreo, I am bursting out all over!
Iam amore virginali I am burning all over with first love!
Totus ardeo, New, new love is what I am dying of!
Novus, novus amor
Est, quo pereo
(Women)
Mea mecum ludit My virginity
Virginitas, makes me frisky
Mea me detrudit my simplicity
Simplicitas. holds me back
(Soprano and Boys)
Oh, oh, oh, Oh! Oh! Oh!
Totus floreo, I am bursting out all over!
Iam amore virginali I am burning all over with first love!
Totus ardeo, New, new love is what I am dying of!
Novus, novus amor
Est, quo pereo
(Chorus)
Veni, domicella, Come, my mistress
Cum gaudio, with joy
Veni, veni, pulchra, come, come, my pretty
Iam pereo. I am dying!
(Baritone, Boys and Chorus)
Oh, oh, oh, Oh! Oh! Oh!
Totus floreo, I am bursting out all over!
Iam amore virginali I am burning all over with first love!
Totus ardeo, New, new love is what I am dying of!
Novus, novus amor
Est, quo pereo
23. Dulcissime (Sweetest one)
Dulcissime, Sweetest one! Ah!
Totam tibi subdo me! I give myself to you totally!
Blanziflor Et Helena
24. Ave formosissima (Hail, most beautiful one)
Ave formosissima, Hail, most beautiful one
Gemma pretiosa, precious jewel
Ave decus virginum, Hail, pride among virgins
Virgo gloriosa, glorious virgin
Ave mundi luminar, Hail. light of the world
Ave mundi rosa, Hail, rose of the world
Blanziflor et Helena, Blanchefleur and Helen
Venus generosa! noble Venus!
Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi
25. O Fortuna (O Fortune)
O Fortuna, O Fortune
Velut luna like the moon
Statu variabilis, you are changeable
Semper crescis ever waxing
Aut decrescis; and waning
Vita detestabilis hateful life
Nunc obdurat first oppresses
Et tunc curat and then soothes
Ludo mentis aciem, as fancy takes it
Egestatem, poverty
Potestatem and power
Dissolvit ut glaciem. it melts them like ice
Sors immanis Fate - monstrous
Et inanis, and empty
Rota tu volubilis, you whirling wheel
Status malus, you are malevolent
Vana salus well-being is in vain
Semper dissolubilis, and always fades to nothing
Obumbrata shadowed
Et velata and veiled
Michi quoque niteris; you plague me too
Nunc per ludum now through the game
Dorsum nudum I bring my bare back
Fero tui sceleris. to your villainy
Sors salutis Fate is against me
Et virtutis in health
Michi nunc contraria, and virtue
Est affectus driven on
Et defectus and weighted down
Semper in angaria. always enslaved
Hac in hora So at this hour
Sine mora without delay
Corde pulsum tangite; pluck the vibrating strings
Quod per sortem since Fate
Sternit fortem, strikes down the strong man
Mecum omnes plangite! everybody weep with me!