This article is from the Classical music FAQ, by Gabe M. Wiener gabe@panix.com with numerous contributions by others.
Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi Fortune, Empress of the World 1. O Fortuna 1. O Fortune Coro 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 away 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 in vain semper dissolubilis, and always fades to nothing. obumbrata Shadowed et velata and veiled mihi 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 mihi 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 cordum 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 !
 
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