O Fortuna
Carminia Burana Lyrics
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Velut luna
Statu variabilis
Semper crescis
Aut decrescis
Vita detestabilis
Nunc obdurat
Et tunc curat
Egestatem
Potestatem
Dissolvit ut glaciem
Sors imanis
Et inanis
Rota tu volubilis
Status malus
Vana salus
Semper dissolubilis
Obumrata
Et velata
Michi 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 sortem
Sternit fortem
Mecum omnes plangite
The lyrics to Carmina Burana's "O Fortuna" depict the fickle nature of fate and fortune. The opening lines "O fortuna, velut luna, statu variabilis" compare fortune to the moon, which is constantly changing and never stable. The following lines describe how life can be detestable, with moments where we are hardened and moments where we are healed. The line "ludo mentis aciem" can be interpreted to mean that fortune toys with our minds and our ability to reason.
The second part of the lyrics describe a wheel of fate that spins endlessly, with good fortune and false hope being just as easily dissolved as bad fortune. The singer describes feeling burdened by fate's unpredictability, and even suggests that fate is complicit in their own wrongdoing with the line "dorsum nudum fero tui sceleris." The final section of the lyrics calls for everyone to mourn together, as fortune can turn against anyone.
Overall, the lyrics emphasize the powerlessness of humanity in the face of an unpredictable fate. They also suggest that fortune can be just as fleeting as it is impactful, and that even those who seem to have everything can fall victim to the whims of fate.
Line by Line Meaning
O fortuna
Oh, fortune
Velut luna
Like the moon
Statu variabilis
Your nature is changeable
Semper crescis
Always increasing
Aut decrescis
Or decreasing
Vita detestabilis
Life is detestable
Nunc obdurat
Now it oppresses
Et tunc curat
And then it soothes
Ludo mentis aciem
Playing with the edge of the mind
Egestatem
Poverty
Potestatem
Power
Dissolvit ut glaciem
It dissolves like ice
Sors imanis
Fate is cruel
Et inanis
And empty
Rota tu volubilis
You are a rolling wheel
Status malus
A bad status
Vana salus
A vain salvation
Semper dissolubilis
Always dissolvable
Obumrata
Shrouded
Et velata
And veiled
Michi quoque niteris
You strive against me too
Nunc per ludum
Now through play
Dorsum nudum
My back naked
Fero tui sceleris
I bear the weight of your crimes
Sors salutis
Fate of salvation
Et virtutis
And of virtue
Michi nunc contraria
For me now adverse
Est affectus
There is agony
Et defectus
And defeat
Semper in angaria
Always in distress
Hac in hora
In this hour
Sine mora
Without delay
Corde pulsum tangite
Touch the strings of the heart
Quod per sortem
Which through fate
Sternit fortem
Crushes the strong
Mecum omnes plangite
Mourn with me all
Contributed by Camilla A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@young_dad
O Fortuna
Velut luna
Statu variabilis
Semper crescis
Aut decrescis
Vita detestabilis
Nunc obdurat
Et tunc curat
Ludo mentis aciem,
Egestatem,
Potestatem
Dissolvit ut glaciem.
Sors immanis
Et inanis,
Rota tu volubilis
Status malus
Vana salus
Semper dissolubilis
Obumbrata
Et velata
Michi 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 sortem
Sternit fortem
Mecum omnes plangite
@jokerdhjokerdh243
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)
mihi 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)
mecum omnes plangite! (everyone weep with me!)
@bouchrabenz6072
Lyrics + Eng translation
O Fortuna : o Fortune
Velut Luna : like the moon
Statu Variabilis : you are changeable
(
Semper crescis : you come close
Aut decrescis : and back off
Veta detestabilis : making our life repugnant
Nunc obdurat : too harsh now,
et tunc curat : too cathartic tomorrow
Ludo mentis aciem :with just a whim from you
Egestatem : Misery
Potestamem : Glory
Dissolvit ut glaciem : they melt like ice
Sors immanis : Brutal destiny
et inanis : and Absurdity
Rota tu volubilis. : spinning like a wheel
Status malus : Such a bad situation
Vana salus : Happiness is a vain
Semper dissolubilis : and going through nothingness
Obumbrata. : You're pale
et velata : and invisible
michi quoque niteris : but your plague make me suffer
nunc per ludum : In your game
dorsum nudum : leave my bare back
fero tui sceleris : by facing your crime
(2
Sors salutis : in health
et virtutis : and virtue
michi nunc contraria : I'm now opposing you
( est affectus
| et defectus |
Semper in angaria) : Impose your slavery to me
Hac in hora : Now is the time
Sine mora : without delay
Corde pulsum tangite : To remove chains
Quod per sortem : as long as
sternit fortem : that destiny long
mecum omnes plangite : everyone will continue crying
@The_Tactical
Let's be honest , YouTube didnt recommended this you searched this in your own
@mairitaaleja
Nop... It was a suggestion for me ... 😏
@user-fq4hj8yv2z
Recommended
@romainvicta396
Όχι it was recommended!
@valevvv2985
How did you know!
@advaith365
Yeah, the Simpsons is where I heard this.😝🤪
@bardhakelmendi6479
a moment of silence for those who are still searching
@kayaeki
I know what you meannn
@diamantbelallari669
I never even had the need to search, i knew it all along. Deal with it
@bardhakelmendi6479
Diamant Belallari brravo qe ni medalje 🏅