O Fortuna
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Lyrics


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O Fortuna,
velut Luna
statu variabilis,
semper crescis
aut decrescis;
vita detestabilis
nunc obdurat
et tunc curat
ludo mentis aciem,
egestatem,
potestamem
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 nora
cordum pulsum tangite;
quod per sortem




sternit fortem,
mecum omnes plangite!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's song O Fortuna in English translation express a sense of fate, the ever-changing nature of life, and the unpredictability of fortune. It begins with "O Fortuna" which can be translated to "O Fortune" or "O Fate", followed by a comparison to the moon which is always changing, and life is similarly depicted to be always variable - sometimes growing, sometimes decreasing. Life is described as detestable where one can be hard-hearted at one moment and caring the next.


The second stanza describes fate as immense and empty, represented by a spinning wheel that produces bad and unstable circumstances, and a false sense of salvation. The singer is also affected by this fortune which is both obscured and veiled. The singer, in the third stanza, suffers from the opposite of salvation and courage and is always oppressed and frustrated in the present moment. It concludes with a call to all to lament together.


Overall, the song is a dramatic representation of the fickleness of fortune and the unpredictability of life. It seeks to convey a sense of helplessness and impotence in the face of fate's whims.


Line by Line Meaning

O Fortuna,
Oh Fortune,


velut Luna
like the moon


statu variabilis,
you are changeable


semper crescis
always 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


potestamem
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


michi 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 nora
without delay


cordum pulsum tangite;
pluck the vibrating strings;


quod per sortem
since Fate


sternit fortem,
strikes down the strong


mecum omnes plangite!
everyone weep with me!




Contributed by Landon M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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