Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi: Fortune plango vulnera
Carl Orff Lyrics
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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.
The opening lines of the song, "Fortune plango vulnera," translate to "I lament the wounds of Fortune." The singer continues to describe their tears, which fall because of the rebellious nature of the gifts which Fortune has taken away from them. These lines suggest that the singer feels hurt by the fickleness of fate or chance.
The next lines speak to the idea that even though Fortune may appear to be crowned or have flowing hair, it is often followed by the bald or shaven head of Opportunity. This juxtaposition suggests that Fortune can be both fleeting and fickle.
The following stanza reflects on the singer's own experience of being elevated on the throne of Fortune and crowned with success, but then suffering a fall, losing their glory and being deprived of happiness. This stanza emphasizes how quickly Fortune can change and how one's success can be lost as quickly as it is gained.
The final stanza speaks of the cycle of Fortune, where some are raised up to great heights while others are brought down. The singer warns against becoming too high, as it may lead to ruin. The reference to Queen Hecuba, who was taken from royalty to slavery, emphasizes once again the idea of the fickleness of Fortune.
Overall, the song can be interpreted as a meditation on the capricious and unpredictable nature of fate or chance. It emphasizes the transience of success and the inevitability of loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Fortune plango vulnera
I lament the wounds inflicted by fortune
stillantibus ocellis
tears streaming from my eyes
quod sua michi munera
because she has taken her gifts from me
subtrahit rebellis.
in her rebelliousness.
Verum est, quod legitur,
It is true, as is written,
fronte capillata,
the crowned brow,
sed plerumque sequitur
but often follows
Occasio calvata.
bald opportunity.
In Fortune solio
On Fortune's throne
sederam elatus,
I sat, exalted,
prosperitatis vario
crowned with varied prosperity;
flore coronatus;
crowned with flowers;
quicquid enim florui
whatever I blossomed into
felix et beatus,
was happy and blessed,
nunc a summo corrui
but now I have fallen from the top
gloria privatus.
deprived of glory.
Fortune rota volvitur:
Fortune's wheel turns:
descendo minoratus;
I descend diminished;
alter in altum tollitur;
another is raised high;
nimis exaltatus
too exalted,
rex sedet in vertice
a king sits on the summit
caveat ruinam!
let him beware ruin!
nam sub axe legimus
for beneath the axle we read
Hecubam reginam.
Queen Hecuba.
Writer(s): Orff Copyright: Schott Music
Contributed by Amelia A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Drak
"Até que todos eles param, eles ficará em silêncio, até que você escuta um do seu lado, kian, e mais outro, Kian, e todos começam a falar, kian, kian, kian, kian, eles começam a gritar, KIAN KIAN KIAN, até que vocês vêem um novo caminhão, e desse caminhão saem várias silhuetas, mas no meio delas vocês vendem um homem, encapuzado, acorrentado, loiro com os olhos completamente brancos e cheio de tatuagens de texto"
SayuriiSayu
KIAN KIAN KIAN KIAN KIAN
Zzaro069
KIAN KIAN KIAN KIAN KIAN
O Mestre
KIAN KIAN KIAN KIAN KIAN
Nicole Vitalli
KIAN KIAN KIAN KIAN KIAN
patomanocu
"Até que todos eles param, eles ficará em silêncio, até que você escuta um do seu lado, "kian", e mais outro, "Kian", e todos começam a falar, "kian, kian, kian, kian", eles começam a gritar, "KIAN KIAN KIAN", até que vocês vêem um novo caminhão, e desse caminhão saem várias silhuetas, mas no meio delas vocês vendem um homem, encapuzado, acorrentado, loiro com os olhos completamente brancos e cheio de tatuagens de texto"
Zzaro069
"Eu vou voltar... Vocês não vão parar a Calamidade." - Kian
Riri
Ele fala isso antes de desmaiar? Eu não lembro.
fangirl801lost
Still my favourite song of all of Carmina Burana. Seconded by In Taberna.
sllaveq
+fangirl801lost those two are my favorites too!