Carmina Burana
Trans‐Siberian 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 Trans-Siberian Orchestra's song "Carmina Burana" delve deep into the themes of fate, fortune, and the ever-changing nature of life. The English lyrics start by addressing Fortune (or Fate) as a force that is constantly changing, much like the moon in the sky. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, emphasizing the unpredictability and volatility of life's circumstances. The mention of a "deceptive sharp mind" hints at how one's perceptions and thoughts can play tricks on them, leading to both poverty and power being transient and fragile aspects of life.
The lyrics then paint a grim picture of fate as monstrous and empty, symbolized by a whirling wheel that is malevolent and indifferent to the concept of well-being. This sense of inevitability and hopelessness is further highlighted by the notion that even virtues and good health can be turned against an individual, leaving them feeling driven, weighted down, and ultimately enslaved by their circumstances. There is a sense of resignation and despair as the singer acknowledges that they are at the mercy of fate, baring their vulnerability and facing the villainy of destiny head-on.
The Latin lyrics add a layer of historical and classical depth to the song, maintaining the themes of fate's capriciousness and the futility of human struggle against it. The references to time as a wheel that is constantly turning and the fleeting nature of well-being and salvation echo ancient philosophical ideas about the cyclical and transient nature of life. The call for everyone to weep together in the face of fate's indiscriminate strikes speaks to the universality of human suffering and the shared experience of confronting life's harsh realities.
Overall, the lyrics of "Carmina Burana" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra blend poetic imagery with profound existential musings on the nature of fate and fortune. The song captures a sense of existential dread and resignation in the face of life's uncertainties, inviting listeners to contemplate the complexities of human existence and the inevitability of facing challenges beyond our control. The powerful combination of English and Latin lyrics creates a timeless and haunting atmosphere that resonates with audiences on a deep emotional and intellectual level.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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