The Carmina Burana

In 1803, a manuscript was discovered in a Benedictine abbey of Benediktbeuern, 50 km south of Munich, a discovery that was do be crucial to our understanding of Latin secular writing in medieval Europe. Because it was found in Beuren, Johann Andreas Schmeller, who published a complete edition of the poems in 1847, called the manuscript Carmina Burana.

The manuscript dated from the 13th century (with a small addition from the 14th century tacked onto the end) and contained 254 poems, songs with and without music, plays, and a satirical “Gambler’s Mass”. Its contents were written mostly in Latin, with a handful of pieces in Middle High German, Old French or Occitan, or a mixture of these languages, and they came from all over central and western Europe and Britain. We believe that the manuscript itself was probably written somewhere in South-Central Europe, where Bavarian was spoken with a strong Italian influence.

Most of the manuscript’s poems are anonymous and appear to be original (not copied from another manuscript), though a few are attributed, and a few others are reworkings of works by Ovid, Horace, and other ancient poets. In general, these poems and songs appear to be written by goliards (reform-minded university students and clergy who satirized the church) and vagrants (theology students or clerics who didn’t have a paid position).

Among the many genres of poems are love songs, drinking and gambling songs, sincere prayers, religious satires, and morality lessons. In keeping with goliard ideas, many feature disrespectful lyrics, attacking or lampooning the Church or being as shockingly bawdy as possible. They also tend to condemn people who don’t give generously to the needy (perhaps since many of the authors were wanderers). They talk about the end of the world, the Crusades, greedy and corrupt Church leaders, the fickleness of Fate, the beauty of spring, and romanticized seduction scenes with country shepherdesses (usually with heroes who are students or clergy). There are many references to Ovid’s love poems, and like them, the poems of the Carmina Burana address sex in a very frank, sometimes visceral manner. The authors of the poems clearly have a strong background in Greek and Roman mythology, as well as medieval philosophy, and they tend to weave these belief systems together (for example, by having Bacchus be present when Jesus turned water into wine).

About a fourth of the poems have melodies notated. However, the style of notation, unheighted neumes, is so archaic and imprecise that we can’t use it to determine what the melodies sounded like – all it tells us, as far as we can tell, is whether the pitches go up or down, so it was probably intended to be a reminder for people who already knew how to sing the song. By the 13th century, this style of notation was a few hundred years behind the times.

Luckily, many of the songs (or the melodies they are written to go with) appear in other manuscripts. So, I am able to share some goliard songs with you!

As you look at each song, I suggest you read some of the Latin poems aloud to yourself, so that you can better appreciate their forms.

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#12 Procurans odium

Lyrics	Translation
Procurans odium    effectu proprio vix detrahentium    gaudet intentio. Nexus est cordium    ipsa detractio: sic per contrarium    ab hoste nescio fit hic provisio; in hoc amantium    felix condicio.	The effects of hate turn back on the haters, scarcely detracting from our joy, as they intend. Connection is the heart of detraction: so, contrary to the enemy’s will, I know the provision is made; in this situation, lovers are happy.
Insultus talium    prodesse sentio, tollendi tedium    fulsit occasio; suspendunt gaudium    pravo consilio, sed desiderium    auget dilatio: tali remedio de spinis hostium    uvas vindemio.	I feel the benefit of such attacks, a shining opportunity of removing our tedium; their perverse plan is to suspend joy, but desire is increased by delay: such a remedy; from the thorns of my enemy I harvest grapes.

My singable translation is here.

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#14 O varium fortune lubricum

Lyrics	Translation
O varium Fortune lubricum, dans dubium tribunal iudicum, non modicum paras huic premium, quem colere tua vult gratia et petere rote sublimia, dans dubia tamen, prepostere de stercore pauperem erigens, de rhetore consulem eligens.	O varying and slippery Fortune, giving doubt to the tribunal of judges, not just a little ready for this prize are those who worship your willing gifts and claim a lofty place on the wheel; you give doubt however, preposterously from manure lifting up the poor, from the orators choosing the consul.
Edificat Fortuna, diruit; nunc abdicat, quos prius coluit; quos noluit, iterum vendicat hec opera sibi contraria, dans munera nimis labilia; mobilia sunt Sortis federa, que debiles ditans nobilitat et nobiles premens debilitat.	What is built by Fortune, she levels; now resigns he who previously served; he who refused she claims again, working to the contrary, giving gifts too fleeting; fickle are her many treaties, the disabled she makes powerful and noble, and the noble she weakens with pressure.
Quid Dario regnasse profuit? Pompeïo quid Roma tribuit? Succubuit uterque gladio. eligere media tutius quam petere rote sublimius et gravius a summo ruere: fit gravior lapsus a prosperis et durior ab ipsis asperis.	How did Darius profit from his reign? From Pompeii what did Rome gain? Overcome was each by the sword. Choose to be safe in the middle rather than seek a higher place on the wheel, the farther to fall from the top: for graver is a fall from prosperity, and tougher, to desperation.
Subsidio Fortune labilis cur prelio Troia tunc nobilis, nunc flebilis ruit incendio? Quis sanguinis Romani gratiam, quis nominis Greci facundiam, quis gloriam fregit Carthaginis? Sors lubrica, que dedit, abstulit; hec unica que fovit, perculit.	Relief from Fortune is fleeting. Why, though in battle Troy was noble, is it now tearfully burnt to ruins? Who for the blood of Rome lusted, who made a memory of the Greeks’ eloquence, who the glory of Carthage broke? Slippery Fate, she gives, she takes; the one whom she cherishes, she shatters.
Nil gratius Fortune gratia, nil dulcius est inter dulcia quam gloria, si staret longius. Sed labitur ut olus marcidum et sequitur agrum nunc floridum, quem aridum cras cernes. Igitur improprium non edo canticum: o varium Fortune lubricum.	Nothing is more gratifying than Fortune’s favor; nothing is sweeter among sweetness than glory, if it would stay for long. But it slips, flabby as a vegetable, and it follows that the fields now in flower will be dry, you will see tomorrow. So it would be improper not to send forth the song: O varying and slippery Fortune.

My singable translation is here.

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#19 Fas et nefas ambulant

Words by Walter of Châtillon (c. 1135 – c. 1179)

Lyrics	Translation
Fas et nefas ambulant pene passu pari; prodigus non redimit vitium avari; virtus temperantia quadam singulari debet medium ad utrumque vitium caute contemplari.	Right and wrong walk almost in stride; the spendthrift cannot redeem the vice of the greedy. Virtue is temperance; the individual should keep to the middle, to both vices giving careful consideration.
Si legisse memoras ethicam Catonis, in qua scriptum legitur: «ambula cum bonis», cum ad dandi gloriam animum disponis, supra cetera primum hoc considera, quis sit dignus donis.	You will recall reading in Cato’s Ethics where it reads: “Walk with the good”, so if you want to receive glory for your giving, govern your feelings; above all else, first consider who is worthy of your gifts.
Vultu licet hilari, verbo licet blando sis equalis omnibus; unum tamen mando: si vis recte gloriam promereri dando, primum videas granum inter paleas, cui des et quando.	A smiling countenance and a soothing word the same to all— however, I give you one command: if you want to win glory from giving, first see the wheat among the chaff, whom to give to and when.
Dare non ut convenit non est a virtute, bonum est secundum quid, sed non absolute; digne dare poteris et mereri tute famam muneris, si me prius noveris intus et in cute.	To give without benefiting is not a virtue; the nature of goodness is not absolute. You are able to give worthily, and you deserve fame for your service, if you first know me both inside and outside my skin.
Si prudenter triticum paleis emundas, famam emis munere; sed caveto, dum das, largitatis oleum male non effundas. In te glorior: cum sim Codro Codrior, omnibus habundas.	If wisely the wheat from the chaff you sort, you will buy fame for your service; but beware, when you give: Too generously the oil do not pour out badly. I glory in you: I am more Codrus-like than Codrus is, overflowing with all things.

My singable translation is here.

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#34 Deduc Syon

Words by Philip the Chancellor (born c. 1160-1170; died 1236)

Lyrics	Translation
Deduc, Sion, uberrimas velut torrentem lacrimas! Nam qui pro tuis patribus nati sunt tibi filii, quorum dedisti manibus tui sceptrum imperii, fures et furum socii turbato rerum ordine abutuntur regimine pastoralis officii.	Run down, Zion, superabundant as a torrent, the tears! For those who to your fathers are born as sons, in whose hands you have placed the scepter of the empire, thieves and the partners of thieves, disrupted the natural order and abused the authority of the pastoral office.
Ad corpus infirmitas capitis descendit, singulosque gravitas artus apprehendit, refrigescit karitas, nec iam se extendit ad amorem proximi; nam videmus opprimi pupilum a potente, nec est qui salvum faciat vel qui iustum eripiat ab impio premente.	From the body’s weakness the head hangs down; every single weight takes hold of the frame. Charity grows cold; it no longer extends to love one’s neighbor, for we see that crushed are orphans by the powerful. There is no one who can save them or who can deliver the just from the wicked oppressor.
Vide, Deus ultionum, vide, videns omnia, quod spelunca vispillonum facta est Ecclesia, quod in templum Salomonis venit princeps Babylonis et excelsum sibi thronum posuit in medio! Sed arrepto gladio scelus hoc ulciscere! Veni, iudex gentium, cathedras vendentium columbas evertere!	See, God of vengeance, see, seeing everything, that a cave of undertakers the Church is made, that in the Temple of Solomon the prince of Babylon his high throne has set in the middle! But taking a sword, avenge this crime! Come, judge of the people; the seats of the sellers of doves overthrow!

My singable translation is here.

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#85 Veris dulcis in tempore

Lyrics	Translation
Veris dulcis in tempore florenti stat sub arbore Iuliana cum sorore.	Truly sweet in the time of flowering stands under a tree Juliana with her sister.
Refrain: Dulcis amor! Qui te caret hoc tempore, fit vilior.	Refrain: Sweet love! Those who are without you at this time are truly poor.
Ecce florescunt arbores, lascive canunt volucres; inde tepescunt virgines.	Look, the trees are blooming; the birds sing wantonly; thereby the virgins cool themselves.
Ecce florescunt lilia, et virginum dant agmina summo deorum carmina.	Look, the lilies are blooming, and the virgins give to the ranks of the highest gods songs.
Si tenerem, quam cupio, in nemore sub folio, oscularer cum gaudio.	If you hold me, as I desire, in the forest under the leaves, I will kiss you with joy.

My singable translation is here.

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#90 Exiit diluculo rustica puella

Lyrics	Translation
Exiit diluculo rustica puella cum grege, cum baculo, cum lana novella.	She went out early, a country girl, with her flock, with her staff, wearing new wool.
Sunt in grege parvulo ovis et asella, vitula cum vitulo, caper et capella.	She has a small flock, braying donkeys and sheep, heifers with calves, she-goats and kids.
Conspexit in cespite scolarem sedere: «quid tu facis, domine? veni mecum ludere!»	She saw on the grass a scholar sitting: “What are you doing, my lord? Come play with me!”

My singable translation is here.

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#116 Sic mea fata

Lyrics	Translation
Sic mea fata canendo solor, ut nece proxima facit olor. Blandus heret meo corde dolor, roseus effugit ore color. Cura crescente, labore vigente, vigore labente miser morior; tam male pectora multat amor. a morior, a morior, a morior, dum, quod amem, cogor et non amor!	According to my fate I sing, like a swan close to death. Sweet and worsening is the pain in my heart; my pink cheeks pale. My concern increases, I labor to breathe, my energy wanes in miserable death, for my heart is sick from loving overmuch. I die, I die, I die, while the one I love is not compelled to love!
Felicitate Iovem supero, si me dignetur, quam desidero, si sua labra semel novero; una cum illa si dormiero, mortem subire, placenter obire vitamque finire statim potero, tanta si gaudia non rupero. a potero, a potero, a potero, prima si gaudia concepero!	Happiness more than Jupiter, if you ask me what I desire. If her lips I could once know, if I slept with her, submitting to death, I would be pleased to come to the end of life as soon as possible: so much joy, if I did not break. If I could, if I could, if I could, if I could conceive the best joy!

My singable translation is here.

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#119 Dulce solum natalis patrie

Lyrics	Translation
Dulce solum natalis patrie, domus ioci, thalamus gratie, vos relinquam aut cras aut hodie, periturus amoris rabie.	Sweet, only country of my birth, merry home, graceful chambers, I will leave you tomorrow or today and perish in the madness of love.
Vale tellus, valete socii, quos benigno favore colui, et me dulcis consortem studii deplangite, qui vobis perii!	Farewell world; farewell comrades, whom with kind favor I honor, and my sweet classmate I lament, whom I have lost!
Igne novo Veneris saucia mens, que prius non novit talia, nunc fatetur vera proverbia: «ubi amor, ibi miseria.»	With new fire, Venus wounded my mind, which had not known of these things, and now I admit the truth of the saying: “Where there is love, there is misery.”
Quot sunt apes in Hyble vallibus, quot vestitur Dodona frondibus et quot natant pisces equoribus, tot abundant amor doloribus.	How many are the bees in Hybla’s valleys? How many are the leafy trees in Dodona? How many fish swim in the seas? That’s how abundant is the pain of love.

My singable translation is here.

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#131/131a Dic Christi veritas

Words by Philip the Chancellor (born c. 1160-1170; died 1236). These two pieces, with related texts, appear together in the manuscript.

131

Lyrics	Translation
Dic, Christi veritas, dic, cara raritas, dic, rara Caritas: ubi nunc habitas? aut in Valle Visionis? aut in throno Pharaonis? aut in alto cum Nerone? aut in antro cum Theone? vel in fiscella scirpea cum Moyse plorante? vel in domo Romulea cum Bulla fulminante?	Tell me, truth of Christ; tell me, beloved rarity; tell me, rare love: Where do you live now? In the Valley of Visions? Or on Pharaoh’s throne? Or on high with Nero? Or in a cave with Theonas? Or in an ark of bulrushes, crying with Moses? Or rather, in the House of Romulus fulminating with Bulls?
Respondit Caritas: «homo, quid dubitas? quid me sollicitas? non sum, quo mussitas, nec in euro nec in austro, nec in foro nec in claustro, nec in bysso vel cuculla, nec in bello nec in bulla: de Iericho sum veniens, ploro cum sauciato, quem duplex Levi transiens non astitit grabato.»	Love responded: “Man, why do you doubt? What are you asking me? I am, as you grumble, not in the east nor in the south, nor in the market nor in prison, nor in fine linen or the cowl, nor in war nor in Bulls: I come from Jericho; I cry with the injured, the man whom two Levites passed— I stood by his bed.”
O vox prophetica, o Nathan, predica: culpa Davitica patet non modica! Dicit Nathan: «non clamabo», «neque» David «planctum dabo», cum sit Christi rupta vestis, contra Christum Christus testis. Ve, ve vobis, hypocrite, qui culicem colatis! Que Cesaris sunt, reddite, ut Christo serviatis!	O prophetic voice, O Nathan, prophesy: The fault of David is clearly not small! Nathan says, “I do not cry”, “Neither,” David says, “do I mourn”. With Christ’s torn clothing, Christ testifies against the Christians. Hail, hail to you, hypocrite, who serves a gnat! What is Caesar’s, render unto him, that you may serve Christ!

131a

Lyrics	Translation
Bulla fulminante sub iudice tonante, reo appellante, sententia gravante. Veritas supprimitur, distrahitur et venditur Iustitia prostante; itur et recurritur ad Curiam, nec ante quid consequitur, quam exuitur quadrante.	Fulminating with Bulls, the judge thunders; the accused appeals; the decision is grave. Truth is suppressed, distracted, and sold. Justice protests: It goes and it goes again to Court; even before the result is found, more than a quarter are cheated.
Pape ianitores Cerbero surdiores. In spe vana plores, nam etiamsi fores Orphëus, quem audiit Pluto deus Tartareus, non ideo perores, malleus argenteus ni feriat ad fores, ubi Protëus variat mille colores.	The Papal gatekeepers, like Cerberus, are deaf. In vain hope lamenting, these doors even to Orpheus, who was heard by the god Pluto in Tartarus, would not for this reason open, unless a silver hammer strikes at the door where Proteus changes with a thousand colors.
Si queris prebendas, vitam frustra commendas; mores non pretendas, ne iudicem offendas! frustra tuis litteris inniteris; moraberis per plurimas kalendas – tandem exspectaveris a ceteris ferendas, paris ponderis pretio nisi contendas.	If you wish to be allowed to live, I recommend a vain life. Do not pretend to be moral; do not offend the judge! Without your knowledge to lean upon, delay for the first days of many months; in the end expect from others a vote of equal importance, unless the price changes.
Iupiter, dum orat Danen, frustra laborat; sed eam deflorat, auro dum se colorat: Auro nil potentius, nil gratius, nec Tullius facundius perorat. Sed hos urit acrius, quos amplius honorat; nichil iustius, calidum Crassus dum vorat!	Jupiter, when prays the Danube, labors in vain, but he deflowers, while gold gives color: Nothing is more powerful than gold, nothing is greater; not even Tullius can argue against that. But they burn more fiercely who are more honored; nothing is more just: Crassus consumed by the fire!

My singable translation of both songs is here.

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#153 Tempus transit gelidum

Lyrics	Translation
Tempus transit gelidum, mundus renovatur, verque redit floridum, forma rebus datur. avis modulatur, modulans letatur … … lucidior et lenior aer iam serenatur; iam florea, iam frondea silva comis densatur.	The time of cold passes; The world is renewed. Spring flowers return, giving the world form. The bird sings joyfully a tune. [line missing] [line missing] More clear and soft, the air is serene; now flowering, now the leaves fill up the woods.
Ludunt super gramina virgines decore, quarum nova carmina dulci sonant ore. annuunt favore volucres canore, favet et odore tellus picta flore. cor igitur et cingitur et tangitur amore, virginibus et avibus strepentibus sonore.	Play on the grass the young virgins, their new songs sweetly sounding from their mouths, supported by the bird’s song, supported by the smell of the earth painted with flowers. The heart, therefore is surrounded and touched by love, with virgins and birds resounding loudly.
Tendit modo retia puer pharetratus; cui deorum curia prebet famulatus, cuius dominatus nimium est latus, per hunc triumphatus sum et sauciatus: pugnaveram et fueram in primis reluctatus, sed iterum per puerum sum Veneri prostratus.	He spreads his nets, the quiver-wearing Boy to whom the court of the gods offers service. His dominion is too much to bear. In his victory, I was wounded: Unsuccessfully I was at first reluctant, but again by the Boy I am made prostrate to Venus.
Unam, huius vulnere saucius, amavi, quam sub firmo federe michi copulavi. fidem, quam iuravi, numquam violavi; rei tam suavi totum me dicavi. quam dulcia sunt basia puelle! iam gustavi: nec cinnamum et balsamum esset tam dulce favi!	By this one wound I was injured, and loved, Under the strong covenant of my friend. The faith that I swore I never violated. To that sweet thing I am totally devoted. How sweet are your kisses, girl! Now I have tasted them: Neither cinnamon nor balm is so sweet, like honey!
Vrowe ih pin dir undertan des la mich geniezen ih diene dir so ih beste chan des wil dih verdriezen nu wil du mine sinne mit dime gewalte sliezen nu wold ih diner minne vil suoze wunne niezen vil reine wip din schoner lip wil mih ze sere schiezen uz dime gebot ih nimmer chume obz alle wibe hiezen.	Lady, I serve you; let me take pleasure in doing so. I will serve you as well as I can, which you will regret. Now you want my desire to be quashed by your rule; Now I want to enjoy myself with your love, full of lust. Very pure lady, your beautiful form wants to shoot me dead. From your dominion I never will leave, even if all women demand it.

My singable translation is here.

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#196 In taberna quando sumus

Lyrics	Translation
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, sed quid loquar, audiatur.	When we are in the tavern, we don’t care about dust, but we quickly start gaming, which always makes us sweat. “What happens in the tavern, where money is the host? How does that work?” you may well ask, but listen to what I say.
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.	Some gamble, some drink, Some live immorally. But of those who gamble, some are stripped bare; some wear their clothes, and some wear sacks. Here there is no fear of death, but in the name of Bacchus they throw the dice.
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.	First of all dice and wine, as the libertines drink. Drink next for those in prison, after that, three times for the living, four times for all Christians, five times for the faithful departed, six times for loose sisters, seven times for the soldiers of the forest.
Octies pro fratribus perversis, novies 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.	Eight for the perverse brethren, nine times for scattered monks, ten times for the seamen, eleven times for the quarrelers, twelve times for the penitent, thirteen times for those on journeys. For both the pope and the king they all drink without restraint.
Bibit hera, bibit herus, bibit miles, bibit clerus, bibit ille, bibit illa, bibit servus cum ancilla, bibit velox, bibit piger, bibit albus, bibit niger, bibit constans, bibit vagus, bibit rudis, bibit magus,	The mistress drinks, the master drinks, the soldier drinks, the cleric drinks, he drinks, she drinks, the servant drinks with the maid, the quick one drinks, the lazy one drinks, the white one drinks, the black one drinks, the constant one drinks, the unpredictable one drinks, the hick drinks, the educated one drinks,
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.	The poor drinks and the sick, the exile drinks and the stranger, the boy drinks, the old man drinks, the prelate drinks and the deacon, the sister drinks, the brother drinks, the old woman drinks, the mother drinks, this one drinks, that one drinks, a hundred drink, a thousand drink.
Parum durant sex nummate, ubi ipsi 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.	Six pennies don’t last very long where without moderation all drink without measure, but drinking makes the mind merry. So everyone scolds us, and we are poor. He who scolds us, let him be shamed, and let him not be recorded among the just.

My singable translation is here.

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#200 Bache, bene venies

Lyrics	Translation
Bacche, bene venies gratus et optatus, per quem noster animus fit letificatus.	Bacchus, well pleasing and desired, through whom our spirits are made joyful.
Refrain: Istud vinum, bonum vinum, vinum generosum, reddit virum curialem, probum, animosum.	Refrain: This wine, good wine, kindly wine, makes a man noble, honest, spirited.
Iste cyphus concavus de bono mero profluus siquis bibit sepius satur fit et ebrius.	This empty cup with good wine overflows; one who drinks much will be sated and drunk.
Hec sunt vasa regia quibus spoliatur Ierusalem et regalis babilon ditatur.	These are the royal cups by which despoiled was Jerusalem and royal Babylon enriched.
Ex hoc cypho conscii bibent sui domini, bibent sui socii, bibent et amici.	From this cup let lords drink, let allies drink, and let friends drink.
Bacchus forte superans pectora virorum in amorem concitat animos eorum.	Bacchus perhaps, conquering the hearts of men, stirs their spirits to love.
Bacchus sepe visitans mulierum genus facit eas subditas tibi, o tu Venus.	Bacchus often visiting womankind makes them subject to you, O Venus.
Bacchus venas penetrans calido liquore facit eas igneas Veneris ardore.	Bacchus fills the veins with hot liquid; Venus sets them afire with burning.
Bacchus lenis leniens curas et dolores confert iocum, gaudia, risus et amores.	Bacchus gently alleviates worries and pains and brings jollity, joys, laughter and love.
Bacchus mentem femine solet hic lenire cogit eam citius viro consentire.	Bacchus usually appeases a woman’s mind and compels her husband to agree quickly.
Bacchus illam facile solet expugnare, a qua prorsus coitum nequit impetrare.	Bacchus makes it easy to capture her whom you wish to obtain.
Bacchus numen faciens hominem iocundum, reddit eum pariter doctum et facundum.	Bacchus is the god who makes man happy, and makes him equally learned and eloquent.
Bacche, deus inclite, omnes hic astantes leti sumus munera tua prelibantes.	Bacchus, god of all of us standing here, we are happy offering gifts to you.
Omnes tibi canimus maxima preconia, te laudantes merito tempora per omnia.	All sing you the highest praises; you deserve praise from everyone at all times.

My singable translation is here.

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#211 Alte clamat Epicurus

Music by Walther von der Vogelweide (c. 1170 – c. 1230). This is a contrafactum of Walther’s song “Palästinalied“. I suggest you look at the original first, since that will help you appreciate the shocking contrast between its religious sincerity and the profanity of “Alte clamat Epicurus”.

Lyrics	Translation
Alte clamat Epicurus: «venter satur est securus. venter deus meus erit. talem deum gula querit, cuius templum est coquina, in qua redolent divina.»	Loftily claims Epicurus: “A full belly is secure. My belly is my God. Such a God requires gluttony, whose temple is the kitchen, in which there are divine smells.”
Ecce deus opportunus, nullo tempore ieiunus, ante cibum matutinum ebrius eructat vinum, cuius mensa et cratera sunt beatitudo vera.	Behold the convenient God: at no time on an empty stomach, before the morning meal belching, intoxicated with wine. The table and the bowl are the true happiness.
Cutis eius semper plena velut uter et lagena; iungit prandium cum cena, unde pinguis rubet gena, et, si quando surgit vena, fortior est quam catena.	His skin has always been full like a wineskin or bottle. He joins lunch with dinner, thus his rich, reddened cheeks; and, if and when his penis gets erect, it is mightier than a chain.
Sic religionis cultus in ventre movet tumultus, rugit venter in agone, vinum pugnat cum medone; vita felix otiosa, circa ventrem operosa.	As religious worship is tossed by the tumult of the wind, the belly roars in agony, as wine and mead fight with each other. Happy and easy is life with an active belly.
Venter inquit: «nichil curo preter me. sic me procuro, ut in pace in id ipsum molliter gerens me ipsum super potum, super escam dormiam et requiescam.»	The belly says, “I care about nothing except myself. So I guide myself to peace in this manner, gently carrying myself over water, over food to sleep and rest.”

My singable translation is here.

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#19* Katerine collaudemus

If you are not familiar with the life of Saint Catherine of Alexandria (aka Saint Catherine of the Wheel), please familiarize yourself with her story before reading the poem.

Lyrics	Translation
Katharine collaudemus virtutum insignia, cordis ei presentemus et oris obsequia, ut ab ipsa reportemus equa laudis premia.	We praise Catherine and her excellent virtues; we present to her our hearts and mouths compliantly, that we may receive reward equal to our praise.
Fulta fide Katharina iudicem Maxentium non formidat; lex divina sic firmat eloquium, quod confutat ex doctrina doctores gentilium	Catherine was so strong in her faith that the judge Maxentius she did not fear; divine law strengthened her speech, which refuted the doctrine of the Greek teachers.
Victi Christum confitentur relictis erroribus. Iudex iubet, ut crementur; nec pilis nec vestibus nocet ignis, sed torrentur inustis corporibus.	The defeated confessed Christ, leaving their sins. The judge ordered them to be burnt alive; neither their hair nor their clothing was hurt by the fire, but scorched by the ordeal were their bodies.
Post hec blandis rex molitur virginem seducere, nec promissis emollitur nec terretur verbere; compeditur, custoditur tetro clausa carcere.	After this, flattering, the king tried to seduce the virgin, but neither softened by promises nor deterred by the lash was she; he caught her and kept her shut up in a filthy prison.
Clause lumen ne claudatur, illucet Porphyrio, qui regine federatur fidei collegio; quorum fidem imitatur ducentena contio.	Even if light is kept hidden away, it shines like Porphyry, who allied with the queen in the company of faith; their faith is imitated by an assembly of two hundred.
Huius ergo contionis concordes constantia vim mundane passionis pari patientia superemus, ut cum bonis letemur in gloria.	Therefore this assembly, in harmony and steadfastness, the force of worldly passion with patience overcomes, so that good people rejoice in glory.

My singable translation is here.

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Key Facts

• Date: 11th-14th centuries
• Composers/Poets: various goliards
• Original Language: German, Latin
• Genre: goliard song

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Sources

Manuscript: Carmina Burana – BSB Clm 4660. Web. 27 Jan. 2016.

Text of the entire manuscript: Bibliotheca Augustana, Carmina Burana. Web. 24 Jan. 2017.

Printed lyrics: Carmina Burana. Ed. G. Bernt, A. Hilka, and O. Schumann. München: n.p., 1979. N. pag. Bibliotheca Augustana. Web. 27 Jan. 2016.

Tunes and frameworks for singable translations: Clemencie, René and Michael Korth. Carmina Burana: Lateinisch-deutsch: Gesamtausgabe Der Mittelalterlichen Melodien Mit Den Dazugehörigen Texten. München: Heimeran, 1979. Print.

All translations into English are by me (Kasha). I’m not a Latin expert, so if you find any errors, I’d appreciate hearing your corrections! Contact me here.