CARMINA BURANA

CARMINA BURANA

1. Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi

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

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 mora

corde pulsum tangite;

quod per sortem sternit fortem,

mecum omnes plangite!

2. Fortune plango vulnera

Fortune plango vulnera

stillantibus ocellis

quod sua michi munera

subtrahit rebellis.

Verum est, quod legitur,

fronte capillata,

sed plerumque sequitur

Occasio calvata.

In Fortune solio

sederam elatus,

prosperitatis vario

flore coronatus;

quicquid enim florui

felix et beatus,

nunc a summo corrui

gloria privatus.

Fortune rota volvitur:

descendo minoratus;

alter in altum tollitur;

nimis exaltatus

rex sedet in vertice

caveat ruinam!

nam sub axe legimus

Hecubam reginam.

1. Fortune, Empress of the World

O Fortune,

like the moon you are changeable,

ever waxing and waning;

hateful life first oppresses

and then soothes as fancy takes it;

poverty and power

it melts them like ice.

Fate - monstrous and empty,

you whirling wheel,

you are malevolent,

well-being is vain

and always fades to nothing,

shadowed and veiled

you plague me too;

now through the game

I bring my bare back to your villainy.

Fate is against me

in health and virtue,

driven on and weighted down,

always enslaved.

So at this hour without delay

pluck the vibrating strings;

since Fate strikes down the strong man,

everyone weep with me!

2. I bemoan the wounds of Fortune

I bemoan the wounds of Fortune

with weeping eyes,

for the gifts she made me

she perversely takes away.

It is written in truth,

that she has a fine head of hair,

but, when it comes to seizing an opportunity she is bald.

On Fortune's throne

I used to sit raised up,

crowned with

the many-coloured flowers of prosperity;

though I may have flourished

happy and blessed,

now I fall from the peak

deprived of glory.

The wheel of Fortune turns;

I go down, demeaned;

another is raised up;

far too high up

sits the king at the summit -

let him fear ruin!

for under the axis is written

Queen Hecuba.

PRIMO VERE

3. Veris leta facies

Veris leta facies

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 stipat 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,

chorus promit virginum

iam gaudia millena.

4. Omnia sol temperat

Omnia sol temperat

purus et subtilis,

novo mundo reserat

faciem Aprilis,

ad amorem properat

animus herilis

et iocundis imperat

deus puerilis.

Rerum tanta novitas

in solemni vere

et veris auctoritas

jubet nos gaudere;

vias prebet solitas,

et in tuo vere

fides est et probitas

tuum retinere.

Ama me fideliter,

fidem meam noto:

de corde totaliter

et ex mente tota

sum presentialiter

absens in remota,

quisquis amat taliter,

volvitur in rota.

3. The merry face of spring

The merry face of spring

turns to the world,

sharp winter

now flees, vanquished;

bedecked in various colours

Flora reigns,

the harmony of the woods

praises her in song.

Lying in Flora's lap

Phoebus once more

smiles, now covered

in many-coloured flowers,

Zephyr breathes nectar-

scented breezes.

Let us rush to compete

for love's prize.

In harp-like tones sings

the sweet nightingale,

with many flowers

the joyous meadows are laughing,

a flock of birds rises up

through the pleasant forests,

the chorus of maidens

already promises a thousand joys.

4. The sun warms everything

The sun warms everything,

pure and gentle,

once again it reveals to the world

April's face,

the soul of man

is urged towards love

and joys are governed

by the boy-god.

All this rebirth

in spring's festivity

and spring's power

bids us to rejoice;

it shows us paths we know well,

and in your springtime

it is true and right

to keep what is yours.

Love me faithfully!

See how I am faithful:

with all my heart

and with all my soul,

I am with you

even when I am far away.

Whosoever loves this much

turns on the wheel.

UF DEM ANGER

5. Ecce gratum

Ecce gratum

et optatum

Ver reducit gaudia,

purpuratum

floret pratum,

Sol serenat omnia.

Iamiam cedant tristia!

Estas redit,

nunc recedit

Hyemis sevitia.

Iam liquescit

et decrescit

grando, nix et cetera;

bruma fugit,

et iam sugit

Ver Estatis ubera;

illi mens est misera,

qui nec vivit,

nec lascivit

sub Estatis dextera.

Gloriantur

et letantur

in melle dulcedinis,

qui conantur,

ut utantur

premio Cupidinis:

simus jussu Cypridis

gloriantes

et letantes

pares esse Paridis.

6. Tanz

7. Floret silva nobilis

Floret silva nobilis

floribus et foliis.

Ubi est antiquus

meus amicus?

Hinc equitavit,

eia, quis me amabit?

Floret silva undique,

nah min gesellen ist mir we.

Gruonet der walt allenthalben,

wa ist min geselle alse lange?

Der ist geriten hinnen,

o wi, wer sol mich minnen?

5. Behold, the pleasant spring

Behold, the pleasant

and longed-for

spring brings back joyfulness,

violet flowers

fill the meadows,

the sun brightens everything,

sadness is now at an end!

Summer returns,

now withdraw

the rigours of winter.

Now melts

and disappears

ice, snow and the rest,

winter flees,

and now spring sucks

at summer's breast:

a wretched soul is he

who does not live

or lust

under summer's rule.

They glory

and rejoice

in honeyed sweetness

who strive

to make use of

Cupid's prize;

at Venus' command

let us glory

and rejoice

in being Paris' equals.

6. Dance

7. The woods are burgeoning

The noble woods are burgeoning

with flowers and leaves.

Where is the lover

I knew?

He has ridden off!

Oh! Who will love me?

The woods are burgeoning all over,

I am pining for my lover.

The woods are turning green all over,

why is my lover away so long?

He has ridden off,

Oh woe, who will love me?

8. Chramer, gip die varwe mir

Chramer, gip die varwe mir,

die min wengel roete,

damit ich die jungen man

an ir dank der minnenliebe noete.

Seht mich an, jungen man!

lat mich iu gevallen!

Minnet, tugentliche man,

minnecliche frouwen!

minne tuot iu hoch gemuot

unde lat iuch in hohen eren schouwen

Seht mich an jungen man!

lat mich iu gevallen!

Wol dir, werlt, daz du bist

also freudenriche!

ich will dir sin undertan

durch din liebe immer sicherliche.

Seht mich an, jungen man!

lat mich iu gevallen!

9. Reie

Swaz hie gat umbe,

daz sint alles megede,

die wellent an man

allen disen sumer gan!

Chume, chum, geselle min,

ih enbite harte din,

chume, chum, geselle min.

Suzer rosenvarwer munt,

chum un mache mich gesunt

chum un mache mich gesunt,

suzer rosenvarwer munt

Swaz hie gat umbe,

daz sint alles megede,

die wellent an man

allen disen sumer gan!

10. Were diu werlt alle min

Were diu werlt alle min

von deme mere unze an den Rin

des wolt ih mih darben,

daz diu chunegin von Engellant

lege an minen armen.

8. Shopkeeper, give me colour

Shopkeeper, give me colour

to make my cheeks red,

so that I can make the young men

love me, against their will.

Look at me, young men!

Let me please you!

Good men, love

women worthy of love!

Love ennobles your spirit

and gives you honour.

Look at me, young men!

Let me please you!

Hail, world,

so rich in joys!

I will be obedient to you

because of the pleasures you afford.

Look at me, young men!

Let me please you!

9. Round dance

Those who go round and round

are all maidens,

they want to do without a man

all summer long!

Come, come, my love,

I long for you,

come, come, my love.

Sweet rose-red lips,

come and make me better,

sweet rose-red lips.

Those who go round and round

are all maidens,

they want to do without a man

all summer long!

10. Were all the world mine

Were all the world mine

from the sea to the Rhine,

I would starve myself of it

so that the queen of England

might lie in my arms.

IN TABERNA

11. Estuans interius

Estuans interius ira vehementi

in amaritudine loquor mee menti:

factus de materia,

cinis elementi

similis sum folio, de quo ludunt venti.

Cum sit enim proprium viro sapienti

supra petram ponere sedem fundamenti,

stultus ego comparor fluvio labenti,

sub eodem tramite nunquam permanenti.

Feror ego veluti

sine nauta navis,

ut per vias aeris

vaga fertur avis;

non me tenent vincula,

non me tenet clavis,

quero mihi similes

et adiungor pravis.

Mihi cordis gravitas

res videtur gravis;

iocis est amabilis

dulciorque favis;

quicquid Venus imperat,

labor est suavis,

que nunquam in cordibus

habitat ignavis.

Via lata gradior

more iuventutis

inplicor et vitiis

immemor virtutis,

voluptatis avidus

magis quam salutis,

mortuus in anima

curam gero cutis.

12. Cignus ustus cantat

Olim lacus colueram,

olim pulcher extiteram,

dum cignus ego fueram.

Miser, miser!

modo niger

et ustus fortiter!

Girat, regirat garcifer;

me rogus urit fortiter;

propinat me nunc dapifer,

Miser, miser!

modo niger

et ustus fortiter!

11. Burning Inside

Burning inside with violent anger,

Bitterly I speak to my heart:

created from matter,

of the ashes of the elements,

I am like a leaf played with by the winds.

If it is the way of the wise man

to build foundations on stone,

then I am a fool, like a flowing stream,

which in its course never changes.

I am carried along

like a ship without a steersman,

and in the paths of the air

like a light, hovering bird;

chains cannot hold me,

keys cannot imprison me,

I look for people like me

and join the wretches.

The heaviness of my heart

seems like a burden to me;

it is pleasant to joke

and sweeter than honeycomb;

whatever Venus commands

is a sweet duty,

she never dwells

in a lazy heart.

I travel the broad path

as is the way of youth,

I give myself to vice,

unmindful of virtue,

I am eager for the pleasures of the flesh

more than for salvation,

my soul is dead,

so I shall look after the flesh.

12. The Roast Swan

Once I lived on lakes,

once I looked beautiful

when I was a swan.

Misery me!

Now black

and roasting fiercely!

The servant is turning me on the spit;

I am burning fiercely on the pyre:

the steward now serves me up.

Misery me!

Now black

and roasting fiercely!

Nunc in scutella iaceo,

et volitare nequeo

dentes frendentes video:

Miser, miser!

modo niger

et ustus fortiter!

13. Ego sum abbas

Ego sum abbas Cucaniensis

et consilium meum est cum bibulis,

et in secta Decii voluntas mea est,

et qui mane me

quesierit in taberna,

post vesperam nudus egredietur,

et sic denudatus veste

clamabit: Wafna, wafna!

quid fecisti sors turpassi

Nostre vite gaudia

abstulisti omnia!

14. In taberna quando sumus

In taberna quando sumus

non curamus quid sit humus,

sed ad ludum properamus,

cui semper insudamus.

Quid agatur in taberna

ubi nummus est pincerna,

hoc est opus ut queratur,

si quid loquar, audiatur.

Quidam ludunt, quidam bibunt, quidam indiscrete vivunt.

Sed in ludo qui morantur,

ex his quidam denudantur

quidam ibi vestiuntur,

quidam saccis induuntur.

Ibi nullus timet mortem

sed pro Baccho mittunt sortem:

Primo pro nummata vini,

ex hac bibunt libertini;

semel bibunt pro captivis,

post hec bibunt ter pro vivis,

quater pro Christianis cunctis

quinquies pro fidelibus defunctis,

sexies pro sororibus vanis,

septies pro militibus silvanis.

Octies pro fratribus perversis,

nonies pro monachis dispersis,

decies pro navigantibus

undecies pro discordantibus,

duodecies pro penitentibus,

tredecies pro iter agentibus.

Tam pro papa quam pro rege

bibunt omnes sine lege.

Now I lie on a plate,

and cannot fly anymore,

I see bared teeth:

Misery me!

Now black

and roasting fiercely!

13. I am the abbot

I am the abbot of Cockaigne

and my assembly is one of drinkers,

and I wish to be in the order of Decius,

and whoever searches me out at the

tavern in the morning,

after Vespers he will leave naked,

and thus stripped of his clothes he

will call out: Woe! Woe!

what have you done, vilest Fate?

the joys of my life

you have taken all away!

14. When we are in the tavern

When we are in the tavern,

we do not think how we will go to dust,

but we hurry to gamble,

which always makes us sweat.

What happens in the tavern,

where money is host,

you may well ask,

And hear what I say.

Some gamble, some drink,

some behave loosely.

But of those who gamble,

some are stripped bare,

some win their clothes here,

some are dressed in sacks.

Here no-one fears death, but they throw the dice in the name of Bacchus.

First of all it is to the wine-merchant

that the libertines drink,

two for the prisoners,

three for the living,

four for all Christians,

five for the faithful dead,

six for the loose sisters,

seven for the footpads in the wood,

Eight for the errant brethren,

nine for the dispersed monks,

ten for the seamen,

eleven for the squabblers,

twelve for the penitent,

thirteen for the wayfarers.

To the Pope as to the king

they all drink without restraint.

COUR D'AMOURS

Bibit hera, bibit herus,

bibit miles, bibit clerus,

bibit ille, bibit illa,

bibit servis cum ancilla,

bibit velox, bibit piger,

bibit albus, bibit niger,

bibit constans, bibit vagus,

bibit rudis, bibit magus.

Bibit pauper et egrotus,

bibit exul et ignotus,

bibit puer, bibit canus,

bibit presul et decanus,

bibit soror, bibit frater,

bibit anus, bibit mater,

bibit ista, bibit ille,

bibunt centum, bibunt mille.

Parum sexcente nummate

durant, cum immoderate

bibunt omnes sine meta.

Quamvis bibant mente leta,

sic nos rodunt omnes gentes

et sic erimus egentes.

Qui nos rodunt confundantur

et cum iustis non scribantur.

15. Amor volat undique

Amor volat undique,

captus est libidine.

Iuvenes, iuvencule

coniunguntur merito.

Siqua sine socio,

caret omni gaudio;

tenet noctis infima sub intimo

cordis in custodia:

fit res amarissima.

16. Dies, nox et omnia

Dies, nox et omnia

michi sunt contraria;

virginum colloquia me fay planszer,

oy suvenz suspirer,

plu me fay temer.

O sodales, ludite,

vos qui scitis dicite

michi mesto parcite,

grand ey dolur, attamen consulite

per voster honur.

Tua pulchra facies

me fay planszer milies,

pectus habet glacies.

A remender statim vivus fierem

per un baser.

The mistress drinks, the master drinks,

the soldier drinks, the priest drinks,

the man drinks, the woman drinks,

the servant drinks with the maid,

the swift man drinks, the lazy man drinks,

the white man drinks, the black man drinks,

the settled man drinks, the wanderer drinks,

the stupid man drinks, the wise man drinks,

The poor man drinks, the sick man drinks,

the exile drinks, and the stranger,

the boy drinks, the old man drinks,

the bishop drinks, and the deacon,

the sister drinks, the brother drinks,

the old lady drinks, the mother drinks,

this man drinks, that man drinks,

a hundred drink, a thousand drink.

Six hundred pennies would hardly suffice,

if everyone drinks immoderately

and immeasurably.

However much they cheerfully drink

we are the ones whom everyone scolds,

and thus we are destitute.

May those who slander us be cursed

and may their names not be written in the

book of the righteous.

15. Cupid flies everywhere

Cupid flies everywhere

seized by desire.

Young men and women

are rightly coupled.

The girl without a lover

misses out on all pleasures,

she keeps the dark night hidden

in the depth of her heart;

it is a most bitter fate.

16. Day, night and everything

Day, night and everything

is against me,

the chattering of maidens makes me weep,

and often sigh,

and, most of all, scares me.

O friends, you are making fun of me,

you do not know what you are saying,

spare me, sorrowful as I am,

great is my grief, advise me at least,

by your honour.

Your beautiful face,

makes me weep a thousand times,

your heart is of ice.

As a cure, I would be revived

by a kiss.

17. Stetit puella

Stetit puella rufa tunica;

si quis eam tetigit, tunica crepuit.

Eia.

Stetit puella tamquam rosula;

facie splenduit, os eius fioruit.

Eia.

18. Circa mea pectora

Circa mea pectora

multa sunt suspiria

de tua pulchritudine,

que me ledunt misere.

Mandaliet, Mandaliet

min geselle chumet niet.

Tui lucent oculi

sicut solis radii,

sicut splendor fulguris

lucem donat tenebris.

Mandaliet, Mandaliet,

min geselle chumet niet.

Vellet deus, vallent dii

quod mente proposui:

ut eius virginea

reserassem vincula.

Mandaliet, Mandaliet,

min geselle chumet niet.

19. Si puer cum puellula

Si puer cum puellula

moraretur in cellula,

felix coniunctio.

Amore suscrescente

pariter e medio

avulso procul tedio,

fit ludus ineffabilis

membris, lacertis, labii

20.Veni, veni, venias

Veni, veni, venias,

ne me mori facias,

hyrca, hyrca, nazaza,

trilirivos!

Pulchra tibi facies

oculorum acies,

capillorum series,

o quam clara species!

17. A girl stood

A girl stood in a red tunic;

if anyone touched it, the tunic rustled.

Eia!

A girl stood like a little rose:

her face was radiant and her mouth in bloom. Eia!

18. In my heart

In my heart

there are many sighs

for your beauty,

which wound me sorely.

Mandaliet, Mandaliet,

my lover does not come.

Your eyes shine

like the rays of the sun,

like the flashing of lightening

which brightens the darkness.

Mandaliet, Mandaliet,

my lover does not come.

May God grant, may the gods grant

what I have in mind:

that I may loose

the chains of her virginity.

Mandaliet, Mandaliet,

my lover does not come.

19. If a boy with a girl

If a boy with a girl

tarries in a little room,

happy is their coupling.

Love rises up,

and between them

prudery is driven away,

an ineffable game begins

in their limbs, arms and lips.

20. Come, come, O come

Come, come, O come,

do not let me die,

hyrca, hyrca, nazaza,

trilirivos!

Beautiful is your face,

the gleam of your eye,

your braided hair,

what a glorious creature!

Rosa rubicundior,

lilio candidior

omnibus formosior,

semper in te glorior!

21. In trutina

In trutina

mentis dubia

fluctuant contraria

lascivus amor et pudicitia.

Sed eligo quod video,

collum iugo prebeo:

ad iugum tamen suave transeo.

22. Tempus es iocundum

Tempus es iocundum, o virgines,

modo congaudete vos iuvenes.

Oh, oh, oh,

totus floreo,

iam amore virginali totus ardeo,

novus, novus amor est, quo pereo.

Mea me confortat promissio,

mea me deportat

Oh, oh, oh

totus floreo

iam amore virginali totus ardeo,

novus, novus amor est, quo pereo.

Tempore brumali vir patiens,

animo vernali lasciviens.

Oh, oh, oh,

totus floreo,

iam amore virginali totus ardeo,

novus, novus amor est, quo pereo.

Mea mecum ludit virginitas,

mea me detrudit simplicitas.

Oh, oh, oh,

totus floreo,

iam amore virginali totus ardeo,

novus, novus amor est, quo pereo.

Veni, domicella, cum gaudio,

veni, veni, pulchra, iam pereo.

Oh, oh, oh,

totus floreo,

iam amore virginali totus ardeo,

novus, novus amor est, quo pereo.

redder than the rose,

whiter than the lily,

lovelier than all others,

I shall always glory in you!

21. In the balance

In the wavering balance

of my feelings

set against each other

lascivious love and modesty.

But I choose what I see,

and submit my neck to the yoke;

I yield to the sweet yoke.

22. This is the joyful time

This is the joyful time, O maidens,

rejoice with them, young men!

Oh! Oh! Oh!

I am bursting out all over!

I am burning all over with first love!