Carl Orff-O Fortuna Lyrics

Original Latin

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.
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.
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.

English Translation

O Fortune,

just as the moon

you vary your state

always increasing

or decreasing;

the detestable life

now difficult

and then easy

with your games sharpens

poverty,

power

dissolves like ice.

Often great

and empty,

your revolving wheel,

an evil state,

vain health

always dissolving,

concealing

and veiled

you also strive for me

now by game,

a lost shirt

I guiltily take because of you.

Often my health

and my virtue

are now contrary for me,

affected

and defectiveal

ways in torment;

In this hour

without delay

take the pulse of my heart,

which through fate,

she overthrows my strength:

weep all of you with me.