"O Fortuna"

("O, Fortune") fr. Carmina Burana (c. 1230) Language: Latin

Text: 1. O Fortuna, velut luna statu variabilis, semper crescis aut descrescis; vita detestabilis nunc obdurat et tunc curat ludo mentis aciem, egestatem, potestatem dissolvit ut glaciem.	Translation: O Fortune, just as the moon you vary your state always increasing or decreasing; 5 the detestable life now difficult and then easy with your games sharpens poverty, power 10 dissolves like ice.
2. Sors inmanis et inanis, rota tu volubilis, status malus, vana salus semper dissolubilis, obrumbratam et velatam mihi quoque niteris, nunc per ludum dorsum nudum fero tui sceleris.	Often great and empty, your revolving wheel, 15 an evil state, vain health always dissolving, concealing and veiled 20 you also strive for me now by game, a lost shirt I guiltily take because of you.
3. Sors salutis et virtutis mihi nunc contraria, est affectus et defectus semper in angaria; hac in hora sine mora cordis pulsum tangite, quod per sortem sternit fortem mecum omnes plangite.	Often my health 25 and my virtue are now contrary for me, affected and defective always in torment; 30 In this hour without delay take the pulse of my heart, which through fate, she overthrows my strength: 35 weep all of you with me.

Edited by George F. Whicher
Translated by Craig E. Bertolet