Wolf Trap - Carmina Burana | National Symphony Orchestra

Carmina Burana Translations

Carmina Burana Translations
Orff (1895-1982)

FORTUNA IMPERATRIX MUNDI (FORTUNE, EMPRESS OF THE WORLD)

O Fortuna (Chorus) (O Fortune)

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. 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!

O Fortune, like the moon of ever changing state, you are always waxing or waning; hateful life now is brutal, now pampers our feelings with its game; poverty, power, it melts them like ice.

Fate, savage and empty, you are a turning wheel, your position is uncertain, your favor is idle and always likely to disappear; covered in shadows and veiled you bear upon me too; now my back is naked through the sport of your wickedness.

The chance of prosperity and of virtue is not now mine; whether willing or not, a man is always liable for Fortune's service. At this hour without delay touch the strings! Because through luck she lays low the brave, all join with me in lamentation!

2. Fortune plango vulnera (I bemoan the wounds of Fortune)

WOMAN:

I mourn the blows of Fortune, for she has taken her gifts away from me. I used to sit on Fortune’s throne, happy and blessed, but the wheel of Fortune tunes, and I go down.

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-colored 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.

I mourn the blows of Fortune with flowing eyes, because her gifts she has treacherously taken back from me. Opportunity is rightly described as having hair on her forehead, but there usually follows the bald patch at the back.

On the throne of Fortune I had sat elated, crowned with the gay flower of prosperity; however much I flourished, happy and blessed, now I have fallen from the pinnacle, deprived of my glory.

The wheel of Fortune turns; I sink, debased; another is raised up; lifted too high, a king sits on the top—let him beware of ruin! Under the axle we read, Queen Hecuba.

I. PRIMO VERE (SPRING)

3. Veris leta facies (The merry face of spring)

MAN:

The happy face of spring turns to the world. Winter is vanquished, and the harmony of the woods praises spring in song. The nightingale sings, the meadow laughs with flowers, the young girls bring a thousand joys!

The merry face of spring turns to the world, sharp winter now flees, vanquished; bedecked in various colors Flora reigns, the harmony of the woods praises her in song. Ah! Lying in Flora's lap Phoebus once more smiles, now covered in many-colored flowers, Zephyr breathes nectar- scented breezes. Let us rush to compete for love's prize. Ah! 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. Ah!

The happy face of Spring comes to the world. The army of Winter, conquered, is now put to flight. In gay clothes Flora rules, and she is praised by the sweet sound of the woods.

Stretched out in the lap of Flora Phoebus in his new way laughs - she is now covered with these gay flowers. Zephyrus goes blowing the scent of nectar. In competition for the prize let us run in the race of love.

Sweet Philomela accompanies her song with the lyre. The fields, now bright, smile with gay flowers. A flock of birds hop through the pleasant places of the wood. A dancing band of girls now brings a thousand joys.

4. Omnia sol temperat (The sun warms everything)

WOMAN:

The sun warms everything. April opens her face to the world, and the mind of a young man turns to love. Love me faithfully! I am always with you, though far away. Whoever loves like this is turned on the wheel of torture!

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.

The sun, pure and gentle, calms all things; the face of April opens to the new world; the mind of a young man hastens to love, and over men of charm rules the boy god.

So great a renewal of the world in festive Spring and the authority of Spring order us to rejoice; it shows its familiar ways; and in the Spring of your life sincerity and honesty require that you keep him who is yours.

Love me faithfully! Mark my loyalty; completely, in my heart and in my whole mind I am with you though absent in a far place. Whoever loves in this way is turned on the wheel of torture.

5. Ecce gratum (Chorus) (Behold, the pleasant spring)

MAN:

The welcome spring brings back joyfulness. The meadow is in flower, and the sun brightens everything. Summer returns, and the rage of winter disappears. Pity the man who doesn’t live and lust under summer’s rule.

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 rigors of winter. Ah! 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. Ah! 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. Ah!

Behold, the welcome and desirable Spring brings back joys. The brightly colored meadow is in flower. The sun brightens everything. Now let sorrows depart! Summer returns, now the rage of Winter retires.

Now hail, snow and the rest turn to water and flow away. Winter flees and already Spring sucks at the breasts of Summer. He bears an unhappy heart who neither lives nor plays under Summer's right hand.

They who strive to enjoy the reward of Cupid rejoice and take pleasure in honey sweetness. Let us be at the command of the Cyprian (Venus), glorying and rejoicing to be the equals of Paris.

UF DEM ANGER (ON THE GREEN)

6. Tanz (Dance)

7. Floret silva nobilis (The woods are burgeoning)

WOMAN:

The woods are in bloom with flowers and leaves. Where is my lover? He has ridden away. Who will love me?

The noble woods are burgeoning with flowers and leaves. Where is the lover I knew? Ah! He has ridden off! Oh! Who will love me? Ah! 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? Ah! He has ridden off, Oh woe, who will love me? Ah!

The noble forest is in bloom with flowers and leaves. Where is my old companion? He has ridden away. Alas, who will love me?

The forest is in bloom on all sides. I grieve for my companion.

The forest is green on all sides. Why is my companion so long? He has ridden away. Alas, who will love me?

8. Chramer, gip die varwe mir (Shopkeeper, give me colour)

WOMAN:

Shopkeeper, give me color to make my cheeks red, so that I can make men love me against their will. Look at me, you young men… Let me please you!

Shopkeeper, give me color 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 honor. 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!

Merchant, give me the color to redden my cheeks so that I may make young men love me whether they wish it or not. Look at me young men! Let me please you!

Give your love, virtuous men, to lovely women! Love gives you high spirits and lets you shine in high honor. Look at me young men! Let me please you!

O World, I wish you well as you are so rich in pleasures. I will surely always be your servant on account of your bounty. Look at me young men! Let me please you!

9. Reie (Round dance)

MAN:

These dancing maidens wish to spend the entire summer without men! Come, my love, I long for you!

Those who go round and round are all maidens, they want to do without a man all summer long. Ah! Come, come, my love, I long for you, Sweet rose-red lips, come and make me better, Those who go round and round are all maidens, they want to do without a man all summer long. Ah!

Those who dance around here are all girls who wish to spend all this summer without men.

Come, come, my beloved, I am awaiting you with desire, I am awaiting you with desire, come, come, my beloved.

Sweet mouth, the color of roses, come and make me well, come and make me well, sweet mouth, the color of roses.

10. Were diu werlt alle min (Were all the world mine)

MAN:

If all the world were mine, from the sea to the Rhine, I would give it all to have the Queen of England in my arms.

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.

If the world were all mine from the sea up to the Rhine, this I would willingly forego to have the queen of England lie in my arms.

II. IN TABERNA (IN THE TAVERN)

WOMAN:

Burning with anger, I speak bitterly to my soul. Rather than place my foundation on rock, I am like a flowing stream. I am carried along like a ship without a sailor; no chain binds me, no key imprisons me. For a serious heart is too solemn, and merriment is sweet. I am more eager for the pleasures of the flesh than for salvation.

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, 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.

Burning inwardly with strong anger, in my bitterness I speak to my soul; created out of matter, ashes of the earth, I am like a leaf with which the winds play.

Whereas it is proper for a wise man to place his foundations on rock, I, in my folly, am like a flowing river, never staying on the same course.

I am borne along like a ship without a sailor, just as a wandering bird is carried along paths of air; chains do not keep me nor does a key; I seek men like myself, and I am joined with rogues. For me a serious heart is too serious a matter; a joke is pleasant and sweeter than honeycombs; whatever Venus orders is pleasant toil; she never dwells in faint hearts.

I go on the broad way after the manner of youth; and I entangle myself in vice, forgetful of virtue; greedy for pleasure more than for salvation, I, dead in my soul, attend to the needs of my flesh.

12. Cignus ustus cantat (The Roast Swan)

WOMAN:

Once I was a beautiful swan on the lake. Now I am black and roasted! I’m turned on the spit, and I lie on a plate. Poor swan – black and well-roasted!

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! Now I lie on a plate, and cannot fly anymore, I see bared teeth: Misery me! Now black and roasting fiercely!

Once I had dwelt on lakes, once I had been beautiful, when I was a swan. Poor wretch! Now black and well roasted!

The cook turns me back and forth; I am roasted to a turn on my pyre; now the waiter serves me. Poor wretch! Now black and well roasted!

Now I lie on the dish, and I cannot fly; I see the gnashing teeth. Poor wretch! Now black and well roasted!

13. Ego sum abbas (I am the abbot)

MAN:

I am the Abbot of Cockaigne. I keep company with drunkards, and my pleasure is found with gamblers.

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!

I am the Abbot of Cockaigne and my counsel is with soaks, and my pleasure is in the order of gamblers and whoever seeks me early in the tavern will leave naked after vespers, and stripped of his clothing he will cry:

Wafna, wafna! What have you done, Luck most foul! You have taken away all the joys of our life!

14. In taberna quando sumus (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 the the libertines drink, one 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. 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 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.

When we are in the tavern, we do not care about what earth is (i.e. what we are made of), we set about gambling and over that we always sweat. We must investigate what happens in the tavern where money is the butler; pay attention to what I say.

Some gamble, some drink, some live without discretion. From those who spend their time in gambling, some are stripped bare, some win clothes, some are dressed in sacks; there no-one fears death, but for the wine they throw dice.

First, for the payment of the wine (i.e. who pays for the wine). Then the boozers start to drink; they drink once to those in prison, after that, three times for the living, four times for all Christendom, five times for the faithful departed, six times for sisters of loose virtue, seven times for soldiers of the forest, eight times for brothers in error, nine times for scattered monks, ten times for those who sail, eleven times for men quarrelling, twelve times for those doing penance, thirteen times for those on journeys.

For pope and king alike all drink without restraint.

The mistress drinks, so does the master, the soldier drinks, so does the cleric, that man drinks, that woman drinks, the servant drinks with the maid, the fast man drinks, so does the slow, the white man drinks, so does the black, the stay-at-home drinks, so does the wanderer, the fool drinks, so does the scholar.

The poor drink, and the sick, the exile and the unknown, the boy, the greybeard, the bishop, the deacon, sister, brother, old woman, mother, that woman, this man, they drink by the hundred, by the thousand.

Large sums of money last too short a time when everybody drinks without moderation and limit, even though they drink with a happy heart; in this everyone sponges on us and it will make us poor.

Damnation to those who sponge on us! Put not their names in the book of Just.

III. COUR D'AMOURS (THE COURT OF LOVE)

15. Amor volat undique (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.

Love flies everywhere, and is seized with passion. Young men and women come together, as is right. If a girl has no boyfriend, she is quite without joy; she harbors the depths of night shut up in her inmost heart. It is pure bitterness.

16. Dies, nox et omnia (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 honor. Your beautiful face, makes me weep a thousand times, your heart is of ice. As a cure, I would be revived by a kiss.

Day, night, everything is hostile to me; the talk of maidens makes me weep, alas! Makes me sigh often, makes me more afraid.

O friends, make merry, speak to me, you who know, have mercy on me in my misery; my pain is great, but advise me for your honor's sake. Your fair face makes me weep a thousand times, but your heart is ice; to restore me...immediately would I return to life with one kiss.

17. Stetit puella (A girl stood)

A girl stood in a red tunic; if anyone touched it, the tunic rustled. A girl stood like a little rose: her face was radiant and her mouth in bloom.

A girl stood in a red dress; if anyone touched it, the dress rustled. Eia!

A girl stood like a little rose; her face shone and her mouth bloomed, Eia!

18. Circa mea pectora (In my heart)

In my heart there are many sighs for your beauty, which wound me sorely. Ah! Mandaliet, my lover does not come. Your eyes shine like the rays of the sun, like the flashing of lightening which brightens the darkness. Ah! 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. Ah! Manda my lover does not come.

In my heart there are many sighs for your beauty which torture me miserably.

Send a message, send a message, my beloved does not come.

Your eyes shine like the rays of the sun, like a flash of lightning which gives light to darkness.

Send a message, send a message, my beloved does not come.

May God grant, may the gods grant, what I have set myself to do, and that is, to unlock the bonds of her virginity.

Send a message, send a message, my beloved does not come.

19. Si puer cum puellula (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.

When a young man, passion-laden,
in a chamber meets a maiden,
then felicitous communion,
by Love's strain between the twain,
grows from forth their union;
for the game, it hath no name,
of lips, arms, and hidden charms.

20. Veni, veni, venias (Come, come, O come)

Come, come, O come do not let me die, Beautiful is your face, the gleam of your eye, your braided hair, what a glorious creature! redder than the rose, whiter than the lily, lovelier than all others, I shall always glory in you!

Come, come, please come, don't make me die, hyrca, hyrce, nazara, trilirivos.

Beautiful is your face, the glance of your eyes, the tresses of your hair; oh how beautiful is your appearance!

You are redder than the rose, brighter than the lily, more beautiful than all; you are my constant pride!

21. In truitina (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.

In my mind's wavering balance wanton love and chastity sway in opposite scales. But I choose what I see, I offer my neck to the yoke; to a yoke so sweet I cross.

22. Tempus es iocundum (This is the joyful time)

This is the joyful time, O maidens, rejoice with them, young men! I am bursting out all over! I am burning all over with first love! New, new love is what I am dying of! I am heartened by my promise, I am downcast by my refusal I am bursting out all over! I am burning all over with first love! New, new love is what I am dying of! In the winter man is patient, the breath of spring makes him lust. I am bursting out all over! I am burning all over with first love! New, new love is what I am dying of! My virginity makes me frisky, my simplicity holds me back. am bursting out all over! I am burning all over with first love! New, new love is what I am dying of! Come, my mistress, with joy, come, come, my pretty. I am dying! I am bursting out all over! I am burning all over with first love! New, new love is what I am dying of!

It is the time of joy, O maidens, now enjoy yourselves together, O young men.