Carmina Burana: O Fortuna
London Philharmonic Orchestra Lyrics

O Fortuna
Oh Fate!

velut luna
like the moon

statu variabilis
constantly changing

semper crescis aut decrescis;
always increasing or decreasing

vita detestabilis
life is detestable

nunc obdurat et tunc curat
now it oppresses and then soothes

ludo mentis aciem
as sharp as the edge of a razor

egestatem, potestatem
poverty and power

dissolvit ut glaciem.
it dissolves everything like ice.

Sors immanis et inanis,
Fate, monstrous and empty,

rota tu volubilis,
you are a turning wheel,

status malus, vana salus
you are changeable and fickle,

semper dissolubilis,
always tumbling veering,

obumbrata et velata
hated and covered with shadows,

michi quoque niteris;
you mimic me as well.

nunc per ludum dorsum nudum fero tui sceleris.
I bring my bare back to your villainy.

Sors salutis et virtutis,
Fate is against me in health and virtue,

michi nunc contraria,
driven on and weighted down,

est affectus et defectus
always enslaved.

semper in angaria.
So at this hour without delay pluck the vibrating strings;

Hac in hora sine mora corde pulsum tangite;
since Fate strikes down the strong man,

quod per sortem sternit fortem, mecum omnes plangite!
everyone weep with me!