Carmina Burana
Riccardo Muti; Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra Lyrics
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O Fortune,
just as the moon
Stands constantly changing,
always increasing
or decreasing;
Detestable life
and then easy
Deceptive sharp mind;
poverty
power
it melts them like ice.
Fate-monstrous
and empty,
you whirling wheel,
stand malevolent,
well-being is vain
and always fades to nothing,
shadowed
and veiled
you plague me too;
now through the game,
my bare back
I bring to your villainy.
Fate, in health
and in virtue,
is now against me
driven on
and weighted down,
always enslaved.
So at this hour
without delay
pluck the vibrating string;
since through Fate
strikes down the strong,
everyone weep with me!
[Latin]
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
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 sortem
sternit fortem,
mecum omnes plangite!
The lyrics of the song "O Fortuna" from Carmina Burana, performed by Riccardo Muti, Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra, reflect on the theme of fate and its unpredictable nature. The song starts by comparing fortune to the changing phases of the moon, emphasizing how life can be both difficult and easy, and how poverty and power can be transient. The notion of fate being monstrous and empty is introduced, suggesting that it is a malevolent force that ultimately renders well-being and success meaningless. The lyrics describe the feeling of being enslaved and weighed down by fate, and the desire for others to join in lamentation. In the Latin section, the idea of fate being against health and virtue is highlighted, emphasizing the constant struggles and setbacks faced by individuals. The plea is made to pluck the vibrating string of fate, symbolizing a call for action and resistance against the forces that seek to oppress. The song ultimately invites everyone to weep together, uniting in the face of a shared experience of the unpredictable and often harsh nature of fate.
Line by Line Meaning
O Fortune,
Oh, fate,
just as the moon
similar to the moon
Stands constantly changing,
remains perpetually shifting
always increasing
continuously growing
or decreasing;
or decreasing;
Detestable life
Disgusting existence
now difficult
currently challenging
and then easy
and then effortless
Deceptive sharp mind;
Cunning and sharp intellect;
poverty
destitution
power
influence
it melts them like ice.
it dissolves them like melting ice.
Fate-monstrous
Huge, overwhelming fate
and empty,
and empty,
you whirling wheel,
you spinning wheel,
stand malevolent,
stand evil,
well-being is vain
prosperity is futile
and always fades to nothing,
and always diminishes to nothing,
shadowed
covered in darkness
and veiled
and concealed
you plague me too;
you also torment me;
now through the game,
now through fate,
my bare back
my exposed back
I bring to your villainy.
I subject to your wickedness.
Fate, in health
Destiny, in good health
and in virtue,
and in virtue,
is now against me
is now opposing me
driven on
pushed forward
and weighted down,
and burdened,
always enslaved.
forever enslaved.
So at this hour
Therefore, at this moment
without delay
without hesitation
pluck the vibrating string;
pluck the resonating string;
since through Fate
because by fate
strikes down the strong,
overthrows the mighty,
everyone weep with me!
let everyone mourn alongside me!
Sors immanis
Monstrous fate
et inanis,
and empty,
rota tu volubilis,
you rolling wheel,
status malus,
evil state,
vana salus
empty salvation
semper dissolubilis,
forever perishable,
obumbrata
shrouded
et velata
and veiled
mihi quoque niteris;
you also oppress me;
nunc per ludum
now through a game
dorsum nudum
naked back
fero tui sceleris.
I endure your wickedness.
Sors salutis
Fate of salvation
et virtutis
and virtue
michi nunc contraria,
are now opposed to me,
est affectus
there is suffering
et defectus
and failure
semper in angaria.
always in hardship.
Hac in hora
At this hour
sine mora
without delay
corde pulsum tangite;
touch the vibrating string;
quod per sortem
because by fate
sternit fortem,
it strikes down the strong,
mecum omnes plangite!
mourn with me, all of you!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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