Carmina Burana: O Fortuna
London Philharmonic Orchestra London Philharmonic Choir The London Chorus and David Parry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Velut luna
Statu variabilis.
Semper crescis
Aut decrescis
Vita detestabilis
Nuc obdurat
Et tunc curat
Ludo mentis aciem
egestatem
Potestatem
Dissolvit ut glaciem
Sors immanis
Et inanis
Rota tu voluvilis
Status malus
Vana salus
Semper dissolubilis
Obumbrata
et velata
Mihi 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 sorten
Sternit fortem
Mecum omnes plangite!
The lyrics of Carmina Burana's "O Fortuna" express a sense of fate and unpredictability in life. The opening lines, "Oh fortuna, velut luna, statu variabilis," translate to "Oh fortune, like the moon, you are changeable." The following lines describe the unpredictable nature of life, with its constant growth and decline, and its ability to harden hearts and minds. The chorus sings of the power of fate, represented as a wheel that turns indiscriminately, bringing good and bad fortune to all.
The second stanza continues the theme of fate, describing it as an "immense and empty" force that can grant false hope and easily dissolve any sense of security. The singer feels that fate is shadowing them, even pursuing them through a game they play. They also express the conflicting feelings of fortune and misfortune that they experience, with both positive and negative emotions always in a state of uncertainty. Finally, the singer calls for everyone to join in mourning for the downfall of the strong, and acknowledging the power of fate over all.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh fortuna
Oh fate
Velut luna
Like the moon
Statu variabilis
You are changeable
Semper crescis
Always increasing
Aut decrescis
Or decreasing
Vita detestabilis
Detestable life
Nuc obdurat
Now hard
Et tunc curat
And then caring
Ludo mentis aciem
Sharpens the edge of the mind
Egestatem
Poverty
Potestatem
Power
Dissolvit ut glaciem
Dissolves like ice
Sors immanis
Immense fate
Et inanis
And empty
Rota tu voluvilis
You turn like a wheel
Status malus
Bad state
Vana salus
False wellness
Semper dissolubilis
Always dissolving
Obumbrata
Shrouded in darkness
et velata
And veiled
Mihi quoque niteris
You strive against me also
Nunc per ludum
Now through the game
Dorsum nudum
Naked back
Fero tui sceleris
I bear the blame of your wickedness
Sors salutis
Fate of salvation
Et virtutis
And of virtue
Michi nunc contraria
Is now against me
Est affectus
Afflicted
Et defectus
And broken
Semper in angaria
Always in torment
Hac in hora
At this hour
Sine mora
Without delay
Corde pulsum tangite
Touch the strings of the heart
Quod per sorten
Which through fate
Sternit fortem
Strikes down the strong
Mecum omnes plangite!
Lament with me everyone!
Contributed by Alexis D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@irelavenceman9524
Me when fighting the final boss at the highest difficulty.
@justinjacksonbaby
Hahaha
@achermistak1904
A melhor que já ouvi...
@rudivandereep9611
The joy if being able to wake up every morning ....for the past 39.5 years after surviving war
@Nicholas-Borg.
Very awesome
@maddie2274
Heard this song 100 times still didn't get the lyrics 😐
@user-bl1qh8ld9c
You are very good 👏👏👏👍👍👍
@byoungizzle
The tuba is out of this world in the beginning
@ajitkumarsingh2654
Excellent
@BetaDoku
Me: Entering the Matrix as NEO