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! [ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/c/carl_orff/o_fortuna.html ]
O fortune,
, like the moon
the state are constantly changing,
are ever growing and
and waning;
hateful life
now difficult
and then easy
sharp mind;
poverty and
the power of
it melts them like ice.
Fate, monstrous
and empty,
you whirling wheel,
an evil state,
vain is the help
always likely to disappear,
shadowed
and veiled you plague
you plague me too;
now through the game
my bare back
i bring to your villainy.
The chance of prosperity
and virtue,
to me, is now against
is in a condition
and defect
always in the vale of tears. So at this hour
without delay
pluck the vibrating strings
since fate
strikes down the strong,
everyone weep with me!