Carmina Burana
Michel Plasson - Jose Antonio Sainz - Malcolm Stewart - Orchestre Du Capitole De Toulouse - Choeur D Lyrics
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mundo propinatur
hiemalis acies
victa iam fugatur
in vestitu vario
Flora principatur
nemorum dulcisono
que cantu celebratur
Flore fusus gremio
Phebus novo more
risum dat, hac vario
iam stipate flore
Zephyrus nectareo
spirans in odore.
Certatim pro bravio
curramus in amore
Cytharizat cantico
dulcis Philomena
flore rident vario
prata iam serena
salit cetus avium
silve per amena
promit virgin
iam gaudia millena
The above lyrics are from the song "Veris Leta Facies" in the Carmina Burana. The song captures the arrival of the spring season with joy and celebration. The opening lines "Veris leta facies, mundo propinatur" can be translated as "The joyful face of spring is presented to the world". The lyrics describe how the winter's army is defeated and the colorful Flora becomes the ruler of the land. The sweet sounds of the forest and the singing of birds accompany the celebration of spring.
The middle lines of the song talk about how the sun-god Apollo, now adorns himself with a new flower crown, made of a variety of flowers. The peaceful breeze of Zephyrus, laden with the scent of nectar, adds to the beauty and fragrance of spring. The final lines of the song call upon lovers to compete in the race of love and enjoy the plentiful happiness that is brought by the arrival of spring. The lyrics end with a promise of thousands of pure pleasures already in store for the virgin.
Line by Line Meaning
Veris leta facies
The cheerful face of spring
mundo propinatur
is presented to the world
hiemalis acies
The army of winter
victa iam fugatur
is now defeated and flees
in vestitu vario
Clad in varied garments
Flora principatur
Flora reigns supreme
nemorum dulcisono
the sweet sounding groves
que cantu celebratur
are celebrated in song
Flore fusus gremio
Phebus lying on a bed of flowers
Phebus novo more
is born anew
risum dat, hac vario
He smiles, surrounded by this varied
iam stipate flore
and abundant flower
Zephyrus nectareo
Zephyrus, breathing heavenly nectar
spirans in odore.
perfuming the air.
Certatim pro bravio
Let us run a race for glory
curramus in amore
let us run in love
Cytharizat cantico
Philomena sings sweetly
dulcis Philomena
with her harp
flore rident vario
The fields are now smiling with different hues
prata iam serena
The meadows are now serene
salit cetus avium
The choir of birds jumps for joy
silve per amena
The forest's pleasantness
promit virgin
Already promises a thousand joys
iam gaudia millena
For the pure-hearted souls.
Contributed by Sebastian A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.