Here are the lyrics for Carl Orff's Carmina Burana.

You may also want to read the FAQ document for background details on this popular work.

Contents

• Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi (Fortune, Empress of the World)
• 1. O Fortuna
• 2. Fortune plango vulnera
• I. Primo vere (In Springtime)
• 3. Veris leta facies (No strings and only a small chorus)
• 4. Omnia sol temperat
• 5. Ecce gratum
•    Uf dem anger (On the Lawn)
• 6. Tanz
• 7. Floret silva nobilis (Small and large choruses)
• 8. Chramer, gip die varwe mir (Small and large choruses) [German]
• 9. Reie [German]
• 10. Were diu werlt alle min [German]
• II. In Taberna (In the Tavern)
• 11. Estuans interius
• 12. Olim lacus colueram (No violins used)
• 13. Ego sum abbas (Only percussion and brass with chorus)
• 14. In taberna quando sumus
• III. Cour d'amours (The Court of Love)
• 15. Amor volat undique (Boys chorus with soprano)
• 16. Dies, nox et omnia
• 17. Stetit puella
• 18. Circa mea pectora
• 19. Si puer cum puellula
• 20. Veni, veni, venias (Double chorus with 2 pianos & 6 percussionists)
• 21. In truitina
• 22. Tempus est iocundum (2 pianos, percussion and all vocalists except tenor)
• 23. Dulcissime
•      Blanziflor et Helena (Blanziflor and Helena)
• 24. Ave formosissima (Three glockenspiels with independent parts)
•      Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi (Fortune, Empress of the World)
• 25. O Fortuna (Fortune, Empress of the World)
  
  

FORTUNA IMPERATRIX MUNDI

1. O Fortuna (Chorus) (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 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!	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 sub Estatis dextera.	under summer's rule. Ah!
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)
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, novus, novus amor est, quo pereo.	New, new love is what I am dying of!
(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, novus, novus amor est, quo pereo.	New, new love is what I am dying of!
(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, novus, novus amor est, quo pereo.	New, new love is what I am dying of!
(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, novus, novus amor est, quo pereo.	New, new love is what I am dying of!
(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, novus, novus amor est, quo pereo.	New, new love is what I am dying of!

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!

Note: These lyrics are copyright and are published here with the permission of Schott Music International.

© Schott Musik International, Mainz, Germany.

Entered by Charles Cave