VOCAL TRANSLATIONS & TEXTS

1. O Fortuna (Chorus)

O Fortuna - O Fortune,

velut luna - like the moon

statu variabilis,- you are changeable,

semper crescis - ever 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

potestatem - 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 mora - without delay

corde pulsum tangite; - pluck the vibrating strings;

quod per sortem - since Fate

sternit fortem, - strikes down the strong man,

mecum omnes plangite! - everyone weep with me!

 

2. Fortune plango vulnera (Chorus)

Fortune plango vulnera - I bemoan the wounds of Fortune

stillantibus ocellis - with weeping eyes,

quod sua michi munera - for the gifts she gave to me

subtrahit rebellis. - she perversely takes away.

Verum est, quod legitur, - It is written in truth,

fronte capillata, - that she has a fine head of hair,

sed plerumque sequitur - but, when it comes to seizing an

Occasio calvata. - opportunity, she is bald.

 

In Fortune solio - On Fortune’s throne

sederam elatus, - I used to sit raised up,

prosperitatis vario - crowned with

flore coronatus; - the colored flowers of prosperity;

quicquid enim florui - though I may have flourished

felix et beatus, - happy and blessed,

nunc a summo corrui - now I fall from the peak

gloria privatus. - deprived of glory.

 

Fortune rota volvitur: - The wheel of Fortune turns;

descendo minoratus; - I go down, demeaned;

alter in altum tollitur; - another is raised up;

nimis exaltatus - far too high up

rex sedet in vertice - sits the king at the summit -

caveat ruinam! - let him fear ruin!

nam sub axe legimus - for under the wheel’s axle is written

Hecubam reginam. - Queen Hecuba.

I. Primo Vere (Spring)

3. Veris leta facies (Semi-Chorus)

Veris leta facies - The merry face of spring

mundo propinatur, - turns to the world,

hiemalis acies - sharp winter

victa iam fugatur, - now flees, vanquished;

in vestitu vario - bedecked in various colors

Flora principatur, - Flora reigns,

nemorum dulcisono - the harmony of the woods

que cantu celebratur. - praises her in song.

 

Flore fusus gremio - Lying in Flora’s lap

Phebus novo more - Phoebus once more

risum dat, hac vario - smiles, now covered

iam stipate flore. - in many-colored flowers,

Zephyrus nectareo - Zephyr breathes nectar-

spirans in odore. - scented breezes.

Certatim pro bravio - Let us rush to compete

curramus in amore. - for love’s prize.

 

Cytharizat cantico - In harp-like tones sings

dulcis philomena, - the sweet nightingale,

flore rident vario - with many flowers

prata iam serena, - the joyous meadows are laughing,

salit cetus avium - a flock of birds rises up

silve per amena, - through the pleasant forests,

chorus promit virgin - the chorus of maidens

iam gaudia millena. - already promises a thousand joys.

 

4. Omnia Sol temperat (Baritone)

Omnia Sol temperat - The sun warms everything,

purus et subtilis, - pure and gentle,

novo mundo reserat - once again it reveals to the world

faciem Aprilis, - the face of April;

ad amorem properat - the soul of man

animus herilis - is urged towards love

et iocundis imperat - and joys are governed

deus puerilis. - by the boy-god.

 

Rerum tanta novitas - All this rebirth

in solemni vere - in spring’s festivity

et veris auctoritas - and spring’s power

jubet nos gaudere; - bids us to rejoice;

vias prebet solitas, - it shows us paths we know well,

et in tuo vere - and in your springtime

fides est et probitas - it is true and right

tuum retinere. - to keep what is yours.

 

Ama me fideliter, - Love me faithfully!

fidem meam noto: - See how I am faithful:

de corde totaliter - with all my heart

et ex mente tota - and with all my soul,

sum presentialiter - I am with you

absens in remota, - even when I am far away.

quisquis amat taliter, - Whosoever loves this much

volvitur in rota. - turns on the wheel.

 

5. Ecce gratum (Chorus)

Ecce gratum - Behold, the pleasant

et optatum - and longed-for

Ver reducit gaudia, - spring brings back joyfulness,

purpuratum - violet flowers

floret pratum, - fill the meadows;

Sol serenat omnia. - the sun brightens everything.

Iamiam cedant tristia! - Sadness is now at an end!

Estas redit, - Summer returns,

nunc recedit - now withdraw

Hyemis sevitia. - the rigors of winter.

 

Iam liquescit - Now melts

et decrescit - and disappears

grando, nix et cetera; - ice, snow and the rest;

bruma fugit, - winter flees,

et iam sugit - and now Spring sucks

Ver Estatis ubera; - at the breast of Summer;

illi mens est misera, - a wretched soul is he

qui nec vivit, - who neither lives

nec lascivit - nor lusts

sub Estatis dextera. - under summer’s rule.

 

Gloriantur - They glory

et letantur - and rejoice

in melle dulcedinis, - in honeyed sweetness—

qui conantur, - all those who strive

ut utantur - to make use of

premio Cupidinis: - Cupid’s prize;

simus jussu Cypridis - at Venus’ command

gloriantes - let us glory

et letantes - and rejoice

pares esse Paridis. - in being the equals of Paris.

 

Uf dem Anger (On the Green)

6. Tanz (Dance)

7. Floret silva nobilis

(Chorus)

Floret silva nobilis - The noble woods are burgeoning

floribus et foliis. - with flowers and leaves.

(Semi-chorus)

Ubi est antiquus - Where is the lover

meus amicus? - I knew?

Hinc equitavit, - He has ridden off!

eia, quis me amabit? - Ah! Who will love me?

(Chorus)

Floret silva undique, - The woods are burgeoning all over,

nah min gesellen ist mir we. - I am pining for my lover.

(Semi-Chorus)

Gruonet der walt allenthalben, - The woods are turning green all over,

wa ist min geselle alse lange? - why is my lover away so long?

Der ist geriten hinnen, - He has ridden off,

o wi, wer sol mich minnen? - Oh woe, who will love me?

 

8. Chramer, gip die varwe mir (Semi-Chorus)

Chramer, gip die varwe mir, - Shopkeeper, give me color

die min wengel roete, - to make my cheeks red,

damit ich die jungen man - so that I can make the young men

an ir dank der minnenliebe noete. - love me, against their will.

   Seht mich an - Look at me,

   jungen man! - young men!

   lat mich iu gevallen! - Let me please you!

 

Minnet, tugentliche man, - Good men, love those

minnecliche frouwen! - women worthy of love!

minne tuot iu hoch gemout - Love ennobles your spirit

unde lat iuch in hohen eren schouwen - and gives you honour.

   Seht mich an - Look at me,

   jungen man! - young men!

   lat mich iu gevallen! - Let me please you!

 

Wol dir, werit, daz du bist - Hail, to you, O world,

also freudenriche! - so rich in joys!

ich will dir sin undertan - I will be obedient to you

durch din liebe immer sicherliche. - because of the pleasures you afford.

   Seht mich an - Look at me,

   jungen man! - young men!

   lat mich iu gevallen! - Let me please you

 

9. Reie (Round dance)

(Chorus)

Swaz hie gat umbe, - Those who go round and round

daz sint alles megede, - are all maidens,

die wellent an man - they want to do without a man

allen disen sumer gan! - all summer long.

(Semi-chorus)

Chume, chum, geselle min, - Come, come, my love,

ih enbite harte din, - I long for you,

ih enbite harte din, - I long for you,

chume, chum, geselle min. - come, come, my love.

 

Suzer rosenvarwer munt, - Sweet rose-red lips,

chum un mache mich gesunt - come and make me better,

chum un mache mich gesunt, - come and make me better,

suzer rosenvarwer munt - sweet rose-red lips.

(Chorus)

Swaz hie gat umbe, - Those who go round and round

daz sint alles megede, - are all maidens,

die wellent an man - they want to do without a man

allen disen sumer gan! - all summer long.

 

10. Were diu werlt alle min (Chorus)

Were diu werlt alle min - Were all the world mine

von deme mere unze an den Rin - from the sea to the Rhine,

des wolt ih mih darben, - I would starve myself of it

daz diu chunegin von Engellant - so that the queen of England

lege an minen armen. - might lie in my arms.

 

II. In Taberna (In the Tavern)

11. Estuans interius (Baritone)

Estuans interius - Burning inside

ira vehementi - with violent anger,

in amaritudine - bitterly

loquor me menti: - I speak to my heart:

factus de materia, - created from matter,

cinis elementi - of the ashes of the elements,

similis sum folio, - I am like a leaf

de quo ludunt venti. - played with by the winds.

 

Cum sit enim proprium - If it is the way

viro sapienti - of the wise man

supra petram ponere -  to build

sedem fundamenti, - foundations on stone,

stultus ego comparor - then I am a fool, like

fluvio labenti, - a flowing stream,

sub eodem tramite - which in its course

nunquam permanenti. - never changes.

 

Feror ego veluti - I am carried along

sine nauta navis, - like a ship without a steersman,

ut per vias aeris - and in the paths of the air

vaga fertur avis; - like a light, hovering bird;

non me tenent vincula, - chains cannot hold me,

non me tenet clavis, - keys cannot imprison me,

quero mihi similes - I look for people like me

et adiungor pravis. - and join the wretches.

 

Mihi cordis gravitas - The heaviness of my heart

res videtur gravis; - seems like a burden to me;

iocis est amabilis - it is pleasant to joke

dulciorque favis; - and sweeter than honeycomb;

quicquid Venus imperat, - whatever Venus commands

labor est suavis, - is a sweet duty,

que nunquam in cordibus - she never dwells

habitat ignavis. - in a lazy heart.

 

Via lata gradior - I travel the broad path

more iuventutis - as is the way of youth,

inplicor et vitiis - I give myself to vice,

immemor virtutis, - unmindful of virtue,

voluptatis avidus - I am eager for the pleasures of the flesh

magis quam salutis, - more than for salvation,

mortuus in anima - my soul is dead,

curam gero cutis. - so I shall look after the flesh.

 

12. Cignus ustus cantat (The Roast Swan Sings — Tenor and Male Chorus)

Olim lacus colueram,- Once I lived on lakes,

olim pulcher extiteram, - once I looked beautiful

dum cignus ego fueram. - when I was a swan.

   Miser, miser! - Misery me!

   modo niger - Now black

   et ustus fortiter! - and roasting fiercely!

 

Girat, regirat garcifer; - The servant is turning me on the spit;

me rogus urit fortiter; - I am burning fiercely on the pyre:

propinat me nunc dapifer, - the steward now serves me up.

   Miser, miser! - Misery me!

   modo niger - Now black

   et ustus fortiter! - and roasting fiercely!

Nunc in scutella iaceo, - Now I lie on a plate,

et volitare nequeo - and cannot fly anymore,

dentes frendentes video: - I see bared teeth:

   Miser, miser! - Misery me!

   modo niger - Now black

   et ustus fortiter! - and roasting fiercely!

13. Ego sum abbas (Baritone and Male Chorus)

Ego sum abbas Cucaniensis - I am the abbot of Cockaigne

et consilium meum est cum bibulis, - and my assembly is one of drinkers,

et in secta Decii voluntas mea est, - and I wish to be in the order of Decius,

et qui mane me quesierit in taberna, - and whoever searches me out at the tavern,

post vesperam nudus egredietur, - after Vespers will leave naked,

et sic denudatus veste clamabit: - and thus stripped of his clothes, he will cry:

 

Wafna, wafna! - Woe! Woe!

quid fecisti sors turpassi? - what have you done, vilest Fate?

Nostre vite gaudia - The joys of my life

abstulisti omnia! - you have taken all away!

 

14. In taberna quando sumus (Male Chorus)

In taberna quando sumus - When we are in the tavern,

non curamus quid sit humus, - we do not think how we will go to dust,

sed ad ludum properamus, - but we hurry to gamble,

cui semper insudamus. - which always makes us sweat.

Quid agatur in taberna - What happens in the tavern,

ubi nummus est pincerna, - where money is our host,

hoc est opus ut queratur, - you may well ask,

si quid loquar, audiatur. - and hear what I say.

 

Quidam ludunt, quidam bibunt, - Some gamble, some drink,

quidam indiscrete vivunt. - some behave loosely.

Sed in ludo qui morantur, - But of those who gamble,

ex his quidam denudantur - some are stripped bare,

quidam ibi vestiuntur, - some win their clothes here,

quidam saccis induuntur. - some are dressed in sacks.

Ibi nullus timet mortem - Here nobody fears death,

sed pro Baccho mittunt sortem. - but they throw dice in the name of Bacchus.

 

Primo pro nummata vini, - first of all it is to the wine-merchant

ex hac bibunt libertini; - that the libertines drink;

semel bibunt pro captivis, - one for the prisoners,

post hec bibunt ter pro vivis, - three for the living,

quater pro Christianis cunctis - four for all Christians,

quinquies pro fidelibus defunctis, - five for the faithful dead,

sexies pro sororibus vanis, - six for the loose sisters,

septies pro militibus silvanis. - seven for the thieves in the wood,

 

octies pro fratribus perversis, - eight for the errant brethren,

nonies pro monachis dispersis, - nine for the dispersed monks,

decies pro navigantibus - ten for the seamen,

undecies pro discordanibus, - eleven for the squabblers,

duodecies pro penitentibus, - twelve for the penitent,

tredecies pro iter agentibus. - thirteen for the wayfarers.

Tam pro papa quam pro rege - To the Pope as to the king

bibunt omnes sine lege. - they all drink without restraint.

 

Bibit hera, bibit herus, - The mistress drinks, the master drinks,

bibit miles, bibit clerus, - the soldier drinks, the priest drinks,

bibit ille, bibit illa, - the man drinks, the woman drinks,

bibit servis cum ancilla, - the servant drinks with the maid,

bibit velox, bibit piger, - the swift man drinks, the lazy man drinks,

bibit albus, bibit niger, - the white man drinks, the black man drinks,

bibit constans, bibit vagus, - the settled man drinks, the wanderer drinks,

bibit rudis, bibit magnus. - the stupid man drinks, the wise man drinks,

 

bibit pauper et egrotus, - the poor man drinks, and the sick man,

bibit exul et ignotus, - the exile drinks, and the stranger,

bibit puer, bibit canus, - the boy drinks, the old man drinks,

bibit presul et decanus, - the bishop drinks, and the deacon,

bibit soror, bibit frater, - the sister drinks, the brother drinks,

bibit anus, bibit mater, - the old lady drinks, the mother drinks,

bibit ista, bibit ille, - this man drinks, that man drinks,

bibunt centum, bibunt mille. - a hundred drink, a thousand drink.

 

Parum sexcente nummate - Six hundred pennies would hardly

durant, cum immoderate - suffice, if everyone

bibunt omnes sine meta. - drinks immoderately and immeasurably.

Quamvis bibant mente leta, - However much they cheerfully drink

sic nos rodunt omnes gentes - we are the ones whom everyone scolds,

et sic erimus egentes. - and thus we are destitute.

Qui nos rodunt confundantur - May those who slander us be cursed

et cum iustis non scribantur. - and may their names not be written in the book of the righteous.

 

III. Cours d’Amour (Court of Love)

15. Amor volat undique (Soprano and Boys’ Chorus)

Amor volat undique, - Cupid flies everywhere

captus est libidine. - seized by desire.

Iuvenes, iuvencule - Young men and women

coniunguntur merito. - are rightly coupled.

(Soprano)

Siqua sine socio, - The girl without a lover

caret omni gaudio; - misses out on all pleasures,

tenet noctis infima - she keeps the dark night

sub intimo - hidden

cordis in custodia; - in the depth of her heart;

(Boys)

fit res amarissima. - it is a most bitter fate.

 

16. Dies, nox et omnia (Baritone)

Dies, nox et omnia - Day, night and everything

michi sunt contraria; - is against me,

virginum colloquia - the chattering of maidens

me fay planszer, - makes me weep,

oy suvenz suspirer, - and often sigh,

plu me fay temer. - and, most of all, scares me.

 

O sodales, ludite, - O friends, you are making fun of me,

vos qui scitis dicite - you do not know what you are saying,

michi mesto parcite, - spare me, sorrowful as I am,

grand ey dolur, - great is my grief,

attamen consulite - advise me at least,

per voster honur. - by your honor.

 

Tua pulchra facies - Your beautiful face,

me fay planszer milies, - makes me weep a thousand times,

pectus habet glacies. - your heart is of ice.

A remender - As a cure,

statim vivus fierem - I would be revived

per un baser. - by a kiss.

 

17. Stetit puella (Soprano)

Stetit puella - A girl stood

rufa tunica; - in a red tunic;

si quis eam tetigit, - if anyone touched it,

tunica crepuit. - the tunic rustled.

Eia! - Eia!

 

Stetit puella - A girl stood

tamquam rosula; - like a little rose:

facie splenduit, - her face was radiant

os eius fioruit. - and her mouth in bloom.

Eia! - Eia!

 

18. Circa mea pectora (Baritone and Chorus)

Circa mea pectora - In my heart

multa sunt suspiria - there are many sighs

de tua pulchritudine, - for your beauty,

que me ledunt misere. - which wound me sorely.

 

   Mandaliet, - Mandaliet,

   Mandaliet - Mandaliet,

   min geselle - my lover

   chumet niet. - does not come.

 

Tui lucent oculi  - Your eyes shine

sicut solis radii, - like the rays of the sun,

sicut splendor fulguris - like the flashing of lightning

lucem donat tenebris. - which brightens the darkness.

 

   Mandaliet, - Mandaliet,

   Mandaliet - Mandaliet,

   min geselle - my lover

   chumet niet. - does not come.

 

Vellet deus, vallent dii - May God—may the gods grant

quod mente proposui: - what I have in mind:

ut eius virginea - that I may loose

reserassem vincula. - the chains of her virginity.

 

   Mandaliet, - Mandaliet,

   Mandaliet - Mandaliet,

   min geselle - my lover

   chumet niet. - does not come.

 

19. Si puer cum puellula (Baritone and Chorus)

Si puer cum puellula - If a boy with a girl

moraretur in cellula, - tarries in a little room,

felix coniunctio. - happy is their coupling.

Amore suscrescente - Love rises up,

pariter e medio - and between them

avulso procul tedio, - prudery is driven away,

fit ludus ineffabilis - as an indescribable game begins

membris, lacertis, labii. - in their limbs, arms and lips.

 

20. Veni, veni, venias (Chorus)

Veni, veni, venias, - Come, come, O come,

ne me mori facias, - do not let me die,

hyrca, hyrce, nazaza, - hycra, hycre, nazaza,

trillirivos! - trillirivos!

 

Pulchra tibi facies - Beautiful is your face,

oculorum acies, - the gleam of your eye,

capillorum series; - your braided hair;

O quam clara species! - O what a glorious creature!

 

Rosa rubicundior, - redder than the rose,

lilio candidior - whiter than the lily,

omnibus formosior, - lovelier than all others,

semper in te glorior! - I shall always glory in you!

 

21. In truitina (Soprano)

In truitina mentis dubia - In the wavering balance of my feelings

fluctuant contraria - set against each other

lascivus amor et pudicitia. - lascivious love and modesty.

Sed eligo quod video, - But I choose what I see,

collum iugo prebeo: - and submit my neck to the yoke;

ad iugum tamen suave transeo. - I yield to the sweet yoke.

 

22. Tempus es iocundum (Soprano, Baritone, Chorus, and Boys’ Chorus)

Tempus es iocundum, - This is the joyful time,

o virgines; - O maidens;

modo congaudete - rejoice with them,

vos iuvenes. - young men!

 

(Baritone)

   Oh, oh, oh, - Oh! Oh! Oh!

   totus floreo! - I am bursting out all over!

   iam amore virginali - Now in first love

   totus ardeo! - am I all aflame!

   Novus, novus amor - New, new love,

   est, quo pereo! - is what I’m dying of!

(Women)

Mea me confortat - I am heartened

promissio; - by my promise;

mea me deportat - I am downcast by my refusal

 

(Soprano and Boys)

   Oh, oh, oh, - Oh! Oh! Oh!

   totus floreo! - I am bursting out all over!

   iam amore virginali - Now in first love

   totus ardeo! - am I all aflame!

   Novus, novus amor - New, new love,

   est, quo pereo! - is what I’m dying of!

(Men)

Tempore brumali - In the winter

vir patiens, - man is patient,

animo vernali - the breath of spring

lasciviens. - makes him lust.

(Baritone)

   Oh, oh, oh, - Oh! Oh! Oh!

   totus floreo! - I am bursting out all over!

   iam amore virginali - Now in first love

   totus ardeo! - am I all aflame!

   Novus, novus amor - New, new love,

   est, quo pereo! - is what I’m dying of!

(Women)

Mea mecum ludit - My virginity

virginitas, - makes me frisky,

mea me detrudit - my simplicity

simplicitas. - holds me back.

 

(Soprano and Boys)

   Oh, oh, oh, - Oh! Oh! Oh!

   totus floreo! - I am bursting out all over!

   iam amore virginali - Now in first love

   totus ardeo! - am I all aflame!

   Novus, novus amor - New, new love,

   est, quo pereo! - is what I’m dying of!

 

(Chorus)

Veni, domicella, - Come, my mistress,

cum gaudio, - with joy,

veni, veni, pulchra, - come, come, my pretty,

iam pereo. - for I am dying!

 

(Baritone, Boys, and Chorus)

   Oh, oh, oh, - Oh! Oh! Oh!

   totus floreo! - I am bursting out all over!

   iam amore virginali - Now in first love

   totus ardeo! - am I all aflame!

   Novus, novus amor - New, new love,

   est, quo pereo! - is what I’m dying of!

23. Dulcissime (Soprano)

Dulcissime, - Sweetest one—

totam tibi subdo me! - I give myself to you totally!

 

BLANZIFLOR ET HELENA (BLANCHEFLEUR AND HELEN)

24. Ave formosissima (Chorus)

Ave formosissima, - Hail, most beautiful one,

gemma pretiosa, - precious jewel,

ave decus virginum, - Hail, pride among virgins,

virgo gloriosa, - glorious virgin,

ave mundi luminar, - Hail, light of the world,

ave mundi rosa, - Hail, rose of the world,

Blanziflor et Helena, - Blanchefleur and Helen,

Venus generosa! - noble Venus!

 

FORTUNA IMPERATRIX MUNDI (FORTUNE, EMPRESS OF THE WORLD)

25. O Fortuna (Chorus)

O Fortuna… [reprise of No.1]

[translations ed. J. Michael Allsen]