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Corvus corax - Songs from Carmina Burana
Corvus Corax, a German band, specialising in interpretations of medieval music that borrow elements from both heavy metal and opera, have recorded a number of songs from the Carmina Burana , a collection preserved in a 13th century manuscript discovered at the monastery of Benedicktbeurn in Bavaria. The songs are mostly in Latin, with a few in a southern German dialect, and were probably originally composed in the 12th and 13th centuries. Most of the original text of the Latin poems is available in the on-line Bibliotheca Augustana, and text and translation of a smaller selection on the Teach Yourself Latin site. A preview of Patrick Walsh's Love Lyrics from the Carmina Burana, which includes texts, translations and detailed notes, is provided on Google Books. In the Latin texts given in this section macrons have not been added, but the original, ancient Roman spelling `ae' in words like saepe has been restored to assist in recognition by students of the classical language. Medieval documents generally change the spelling to `e', reflecting the changed pronunciation. The ancient pronunciation before around 100 A.D. was the same as that of the diphthong in English `die'.
De Mundi Statu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NTyT-mVjso
Mundus est in varium saepe variatus The world has often been altered in various ways
Et a status ordine sui degradatus: and degraded from the order of its [proper] status
Ordo mundi penitus est inordinatus, the order of the world has been deeply disordered
Mundus nomine tenus stat, sed est prostratus. the word supposedly stands, but is [actually] prostrate
Sperabamus quod adhuc quisquam remaneret, We were hoping that someone would still remain
Mundum qui praecipitem dando sustineret, who could support a collapsing world by giving,
Pleno cornu copiae munera praeberet, provide gifts from a full horn of plenty,
Nomen largiae, sed et rem, quod plus est, haberet. be called generous but, what is more, really be so
Mundus ergo labitur, nullus hunc sustentat; The world, therefore, is falling, no one holds it up
Currit, cadit, corruit, quis eum retentat? It runs away, falls, collapses, who is preserving it?
Largitatis semitas nemo iam frequentat Nobody now follows the paths of generosity
Actus largi strenuos nemo representat Or performs the energetic acts of a generous person
Haec dum nudo nudam se propter hoc iniungit, Thus, while this one lies naked with her naked partner,
Manu, lingua, labiis palpat, lingit, ungit; Touches, licks, smears with hand, tongue and lips
At Venus medullitus scalpit, prurit, pungit! Still desire scrapes, itches and vexes them inwardly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NTyT-mVjso
Mundus est in varium saepe variatus The world has often been altered in various ways
Et a status ordine sui degradatus: and degraded from the order of its [proper] status
Ordo mundi penitus est inordinatus, the order of the world has been deeply disordered
Mundus nomine tenus stat, sed est prostratus. the word supposedly stands, but is [actually] prostrate
Sperabamus quod adhuc quisquam remaneret, We were hoping that someone would still remain
Mundum qui praecipitem dando sustineret, who could support a collapsing world by giving,
Pleno cornu copiae munera praeberet, provide gifts from a full horn of plenty,
Nomen largiae, sed et rem, quod plus est, haberet. be called generous but, what is more, really be so
Mundus ergo labitur, nullus hunc sustentat; The world, therefore, is falling, no one holds it up
Currit, cadit, corruit, quis eum retentat? It runs away, falls, collapses, who is preserving it?
Largitatis semitas nemo iam frequentat Nobody now follows the paths of generosity
Actus largi strenuos nemo representat Or performs the energetic acts of a generous person
Haec dum nudo nudam se propter hoc iniungit, Thus, while this one lies naked with her naked partner,
Manu, lingua, labiis palpat, lingit, ungit; Touches, licks, smears with hand, tongue and lips
At Venus medullitus scalpit, prurit, pungit! Still desire scrapes, itches and vexes them inwardly
Custodes sunt Raptores
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhV9r5rh6YY
(This video was recorded at a live performance in Munich in 2009 and clicking SHOW MORE takes you to links to recordings of many other songs made on the same occasion)
In huius mundi patria regnat idolatria; In the fatherland of this world idolatry reigns
Ubique sunt venalia dona spiritalia. Everywhere spiritual gifts are for sale
Custodes sunt raptores atque lupi pastores, The guards are robbers and the shepherds are wolves
Principes et reges subverterunt leges. Princes and kings undermine the laws
Hac incerta domo insanit omnis homo. With this uncertain home every man goes crazy
Sed ista cum vento transibunt in momento. But in a moment these things will pass away with the wind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhV9r5rh6YY
(This video was recorded at a live performance in Munich in 2009 and clicking SHOW MORE takes you to links to recordings of many other songs made on the same occasion)
In huius mundi patria regnat idolatria; In the fatherland of this world idolatry reigns
Ubique sunt venalia dona spiritalia. Everywhere spiritual gifts are for sale
Custodes sunt raptores atque lupi pastores, The guards are robbers and the shepherds are wolves
Principes et reges subverterunt leges. Princes and kings undermine the laws
Hac incerta domo insanit omnis homo. With this uncertain home every man goes crazy
Sed ista cum vento transibunt in momento. But in a moment these things will pass away with the wind
O varium fortunae
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtYcxOYQ87o&feature=related
O varium fortunae lubricum O the slippery inconstancy of Fortune,
Dans dubium tribunal iudicum, A court giving a dubious verdict,
Non modicum paras huic praemium, You prepare a great reward for the one
Quem colere tua vult gratia. Your favour wishes to foster.
Et petere rotae sublimia, [You allow him] to aim for the top of the wheel
Dans dubia tamen, praepostere Yet giving dubiously, preposterously
De stercore pauperem erigens, Raising a poor man from the gutter,
De rhetore consulem eligens. Selecting an orator to become a ruler
Aedificat Fortuna diruit; Fortune builds and tears down
Nunc abdicat quos prius coluit Now it abandons those it previously fostered
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtYcxOYQ87o&feature=related
O varium fortunae lubricum O the slippery inconstancy of Fortune,
Dans dubium tribunal iudicum, A court giving a dubious verdict,
Non modicum paras huic praemium, You prepare a great reward for the one
Quem colere tua vult gratia. Your favour wishes to foster.
Et petere rotae sublimia, [You allow him] to aim for the top of the wheel
Dans dubia tamen, praepostere Yet giving dubiously, preposterously
De stercore pauperem erigens, Raising a poor man from the gutter,
De rhetore consulem eligens. Selecting an orator to become a ruler
Aedificat Fortuna diruit; Fortune builds and tears down
Nunc abdicat quos prius coluit Now it abandons those it previously fostered
Dulcissima
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QWS1xUkUaA
"Ave, formosissima, gemma pretiosa!" `Hail, most beautiful, precious gem!'
Dulcissima The sweetest one
Vidi florem floridum, vidi florum florem, I have seen a flower in flower, the flower of flowers
Vidi rosam Madii cunctis pulchriorem, I have seen the flower of May more beautiful than the rest
Vidi stellam splendidam, cunctis clariorem, I have seen a splendid star, clearer than the rest
Per quam ego degeram lapsus in amorem. Through whom I had lived as one fallen in love
Quid plus? Collo virginis brachia iactavi What more [need I say] I threw may arms round the maid's neck
Mille dedi basia, mille reportavi, Gave a thousand kisses, received a thousand
Atque saepe saepius dicens affirmavi: And time and again I spoke and declared
"Certe, certe istud est id, quo anhelavi!" `Certainly, certainly this is what I sighed for!'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QWS1xUkUaA
"Ave, formosissima, gemma pretiosa!" `Hail, most beautiful, precious gem!'
Dulcissima The sweetest one
Vidi florem floridum, vidi florum florem, I have seen a flower in flower, the flower of flowers
Vidi rosam Madii cunctis pulchriorem, I have seen the flower of May more beautiful than the rest
Vidi stellam splendidam, cunctis clariorem, I have seen a splendid star, clearer than the rest
Per quam ego degeram lapsus in amorem. Through whom I had lived as one fallen in love
Quid plus? Collo virginis brachia iactavi What more [need I say] I threw may arms round the maid's neck
Mille dedi basia, mille reportavi, Gave a thousand kisses, received a thousand
Atque saepe saepius dicens affirmavi: And time and again I spoke and declared
"Certe, certe istud est id, quo anhelavi!" `Certainly, certainly this is what I sighed for!'
Ergo bibamus
Ergo bibamus, ne sitiamus, vas repleamus! Therefore let's drink, let's not be thirsty, let's refill the mug
qisque suorum posteriorum sive priorum each one for his past or future
sit sine cura morte futura re peritura should be without care as death will come and the world perish
ergo bibamus therefore let's drink
Ergo bibamus, ne sitiamus, vas repleamus! Therefore let's drink, let's not be thirsty, let's refill the mug
qisque suorum posteriorum sive priorum each one for his past or future
sit sine cura morte futura re peritura should be without care as death will come and the world perish
ergo bibamus therefore let's drink
Other interpretations of the Carmina
By far the best-known setting of songs from the collection is Carl Orff's version for choir and orchestra, while probably the most convincing attempt to recreate a medieval performance is that by Philip Pickett and the New London Consort on the L'Oiseau-Lyre label. The set is now difficult to find but individual tracks can be bought for download on Amazon and elsewhere. In August 2020 another extensive recording of the Carmina, by the Clemencic Consort, was uploaded yo Youtube as a 3 hour 40 minute video. A version of the drinking song `Bacche, bene venies' (Welcome, God of Wine) in similar style to Pickett's is also available on Youtube, with illustrations and Latin subtitles.
Bacche, bene venies (medieval spellings replaced with classical ones, long vowels marked according to classical pronunciation and literal translation added; other versions of the song include additional stanzas - see the Paroles-musique and St.Celia Press sites and the lyrics given below the next embedded video)
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Bacche, bene veniēs
grātus et optātus per quem noster animus fit laetificātus Istud vīnum, bonum vīnum vīnum generōsum reddit virum curiālem probum, animōsum Iste cyphus concāvus dē bonō merō profluus sī quis bibit saepius Satur fit et ēbrius Istud etc. Haec sunt vāsa rēgia quibus spoliātur Ierusalem et rēgālis Babilon dītātur. Istud etc. Bacchus forte superāns pectora virōrum in amōrem concitat animōs eōrum. Istud etc. Bacchus saepe vīsitāns mulierum genus facit eās subditās tibi, ō tū Venus. Istud etc. Bacchus vēnās penetrāns calidō liquōre facit eās igneās Veneris ardōre. Istud etc. Bacchus lēnis lēniēns cūrās et dolōrōs confert iocum, gaudia, rīsūs et amōrēs. Istud etc. Omnēs tibi canimus maxima praecōnia, te laudantes merito tempora per omnia. Istud etc. x 3 |
Bacchus, well you-will come
pleasing and wished-for through whom our spirit becomes made-joyful That wine, good wine wine in-generous-quantity renders a-man noble honest, spirited That cup hollowed-out from goodness pure flowing if anyone drinks more-often replete he-becomes and merry That etc. These are the-cups royal of-which is-despoiled Jerusalam and kingly Babylon enriched That etc. Bacchus by-chance overcoming breasts of-men into love arouses spirits of-them That etc. Bacchus often visting of-women race makes them enslaved to-you, o you Venus That etc. Bacchus veins penetrating warm with-liquid makes them aflame of-Venus with-passion That etc. Bacchus easy easing cares and sorrows confers jesting, joys laughs and loves That etc. All to-you we-sing greatest commendations you praising deservedly times through all That etc. x 3 |
Ensemble Unicorn's version repeats the refrain only after every third stanza and includes these additional ones, some of which are frequently thought too risqué to perform nowadays:
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Ex hōc cyphō cōnsciī
bibent suī dominī bibent suī sociī bibent et amīcī Bachus mentem fēminae solet hīc līnīre cōgit eam citius virō cōnsentīre. Ā quā prōrsus coitum nequit impetrāre Bachus illam facile solet expugnāre. Bachus nūmen faciēns hominem jocundum reddit eum pariter doctum et facundum. Bache, Deus inclite, omnēs hīc astantēs laetī sumus mūnera tua praelibantes. |
From this cup as-accomplices
will-drink one's masters will drink one's associates will-drink also friends Bacchus mind of-a-woman is-accustomed here to-soften he-makes her more-quickly to-a-man say-yes From-whom absolutely sex one-cannot get-by-asking Bacchus her easily is-accustomed to-take-by-storm Bacchus the-god making a-person merry renders him equally learned and eloquent Bacchus. god renowned. all here standing-by happy we-are gifts your tasting-in-advance |
Another well-known song, `Tempus est iocundum' (The season is pleasant) is also on YouTube, with illustrations and Latin subtitles in the same style as the first of the two `Bacche,, bene venies' versions. The refrain includes the clebrated line `Iam amore virginali totus ardeo' (Now I totally burn with love for a maiden). Spanish and English translations of the whole song are available on YouTube by clicking `SHOW MORE' under the video.
A more restrained version of `Tempus est iocundum' is provided by the group Datura
The German band In Extremo specialise, like Corvus Corax, in combining medieval song with a modern musical interpretation. Here is their heavy metal version of `Hiemali tempore' (In wintertime). The spelling in the lyrics given below has been regularised on classical lines but those given in the video retain the medieval forms :
The German band In Extremo specialise, like Corvus Corax, in combining medieval song with a modern musical interpretation. Here is their heavy metal version of `Hiemali tempore' (In wintertime). The spelling in the lyrics given below has been regularised on classical lines but those given in the video retain the medieval forms :
HIEMALI TEMPORE
Hiemali tempore
wintery in-time
Dum prata marcent frigore
while meadows are-weak with-cold
Et aquae congelescunt
and waters freeze
Concurrunt in aestuario
rush-together in a-warm-room
Qui regnant cum decio
those-who are-kings with the-dice
Et postquam convalescent
and after they-recover-strength
Socius a socio
friend by friend
Ludus incitatur
the-game is-encouraged
Qui vestitus venerat nudus reparatur
he-who clothed had-come naked ends-up
Ei trepidant divitiae
before-him tremble riches (i.e. the rich tremble before the one)
Cui paupertas semper servit libere
to-whom poverty always gives-service freely (i.e. who has always been poor)
Salutemus socii
lets-greet-each-other friends
Nos qui sumus bibuli
we who are fond-of-drinking
Tabernam sicco ore
the-tavern dry with-mouth
Optemus alacriter
let’s-choose enthusiastically
Cyphi impleantur iugiter
glasses let-them-be-filled continuously
Potemus solito more
let’s drink usual in-way
Hiemali tempore
wintery in-time
Dum prata marcent frigore
while meadows are-weak with-cold
Et aquae congelescunt
and waters freeze
Concurrunt in aestuario
rush-together in a-warm-room
Qui regnant cum decio
those-who are-kings with the-dice
Et postquam convalescent
and after they-recover-strength
Socius a socio
friend by friend
Ludus incitatur
the-game is-encouraged
Qui vestitus venerat nudus reparatur
he-who clothed had-come naked ends-up
Ei trepidant divitiae
before-him tremble riches (i.e. the rich tremble before the one)
Cui paupertas semper servit libere
to-whom poverty always gives-service freely (i.e. who has always been poor)
Salutemus socii
lets-greet-each-other friends
Nos qui sumus bibuli
we who are fond-of-drinking
Tabernam sicco ore
the-tavern dry with-mouth
Optemus alacriter
let’s-choose enthusiastically
Cyphi impleantur iugiter
glasses let-them-be-filled continuously
Potemus solito more
let’s drink usual in-way
Here is another song by the same group - `In taberna gloria!', on the joys of drinking in the pub. `Meum est propositum in taberna mori' is a quote from stanza 12 0f poem191 in the Carmina Burana, which was probably written in the 1160s by an author known as `the Archpoet'. An English version of the whole poem is available on the Poetry in Translation site and the same translation can be read in parallel with the Latin text on the CARMINA MEDIAEVALIA page in linguae.
IN TABERNA GLORIA
Magis quam ecclesiam
more than church
Diligo tabernam
I-love tavern
Loqui facit socios
to-speak it-makes friends
Optimum Latinum
better Latin
Meum est propositum
my is intention
In taberna mori
In tavern to-die
Vinum sit appositum
wine may-it-be placed opposite
Sitientis oris
Thirsty mouth
In taberna gloria (x 4)
Vinum super omnia
wine above all-things
Bonum diligamus
good let-us-love
Nam purgantur vitia
for are washed-away faults
Dum vinum potamus
while wine we-drink
Cum nobis copia
with us (there is) plenty
Vinum dum clamamus
wine while we-shout-for
Qui vivis in gloria
who live in glory
Te Deum laudamus
you God we-praise
In taberna gloria (x 4)
Another band using Latin for their lyrics is the German group `Lesiem'. A number of their songs have been uploaded to Youtube, but the Latin is not very grammatical and they appear really to be just playing with the words.
`Franciscae meae laudes', a Lain poem included in Charles Baudelaire's Les fleurs du mal, is sung here by Juliette Noureddine, one of France's best known female singers. The video has French subtitles:
Magis quam ecclesiam
more than church
Diligo tabernam
I-love tavern
Loqui facit socios
to-speak it-makes friends
Optimum Latinum
better Latin
Meum est propositum
my is intention
In taberna mori
In tavern to-die
Vinum sit appositum
wine may-it-be placed opposite
Sitientis oris
Thirsty mouth
In taberna gloria (x 4)
Vinum super omnia
wine above all-things
Bonum diligamus
good let-us-love
Nam purgantur vitia
for are washed-away faults
Dum vinum potamus
while wine we-drink
Cum nobis copia
with us (there is) plenty
Vinum dum clamamus
wine while we-shout-for
Qui vivis in gloria
who live in glory
Te Deum laudamus
you God we-praise
In taberna gloria (x 4)
Another band using Latin for their lyrics is the German group `Lesiem'. A number of their songs have been uploaded to Youtube, but the Latin is not very grammatical and they appear really to be just playing with the words.
`Franciscae meae laudes', a Lain poem included in Charles Baudelaire's Les fleurs du mal, is sung here by Juliette Noureddine, one of France's best known female singers. The video has French subtitles:
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Novis te cantabo chordis
O novelletum quod ludis In solitudine cordis Esto sertis implicata O femina delicata Per quam solvuntur peccata ! Sicut beneficum Lethe Hauriam oscula de te Quae imbuta es magnete Quum vitiorium tempestas Turbabat omnes semitas Apparuisti, Deitas. Velut stella salutaris In naufragiis amaris… Suspendam cor tuis aris ! Piscina plena virtutis Fons aeternae juventutis Labris vocem redde mutis ! Quod erat spurcum, cremasti Quod rudius, exaequasti : Quod debile, confirmasti In fame mea taberna In nocte mea lucerna Recte me semper guberna. Adde nunc vires viribus Dulce balneum suavibus Unguentatum odoribus Meos circa lumbos mica, O castitatis lorica Aqua tincta seraphica Patera gemmis corusca Panis salsus, mollis esca Divinum vinum, Francisca ! |
I will sing about you on new strings
O young sapling, you who play In the solitude of my heart Be wreathed with garlands O delicious woman Through whom sins are absolved Like a favour from Lethe I will drink up kisses from you Who are imbued with magnetism When a storm of vices Was confounding all paths You appeared, Deity As a star of salvation In shipwrecks you are loved I will hang up my heart on your altar! Pool full of virtue Fountain of eternal youth Restore voice to dumb lips! What was impure, you have burned What was unshaped, you have made level What was weak, you have strengthened In hunger my tavern In the night my lantern Always guide me rightly Add now strength to strength Sweet bath anointed with pleasing Scents anointed Shine around my loins O shield of chastity Infused with angelic water Dish gleaming with jewels Savoury bread, soft morsel Divine wine, Francisca |
Another song from the Carmina Burana. performed by Hungarian musician Arany Zoltán and his group.
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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, si quid loquar, audiatur. 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: 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. Octies pro fratribus perversis, nonies 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. 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. 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. Parum durant sex nummate ubi ips' 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. |
When we are in the tavern
we do not bother what the ground is but we hurry to the game at which we always sweat What is done in the tavern where money is the cupbearer this is what needs to be asked whatever I say, let it be listened to Some gamble, some drink some live loosely But those who spend time in gambling of these some are stripped bare some are clothes there [i.e. win clothes staked by others] some are dressed in sacks There nobody fears death but they roll the dice for Bacchus First for the price of the wine from it the libertines drink once they drink for captives after that for the third time for the living[1] fourth for all Christians fifth for the faithful departed sixth for empty-headed sisters seventh for the soldiers in the woods [outlaws in the forest] Eighth for transgressing brothers ninth for scattered monks tenth for those sailing eleventh for squabblers twelfth for the penitent thirteenth for travellers both for the pope and the king all drink without restraint The mistress drinks. the master drinks the soldier drinks, the priest drinks the man drinks, the woman drinks the servant drinks with the maid the swift man drinks, the lazy one drinks the white man drinks, the black man drinks the settled man drinks, the wanderer drinks the stupid man drinks, the wise man drinks The poor man drinks and the sick one the exile drinks and the stranger drinks the boy drinks, the white-haired man drinks the bishop drinks, the deacon drinks the sister drinks, the brother drinks the old woman drinks and the mother that woman drinks, that man drinks a hundred drink, a thousand drink Six coins last too liitle when they drink immoderately, all drink without limit Although they drink with cheerful mind all peoples scold us thus and thus we will be in need Let those who scold us be confounded and not be inscribed with the just |
[1] The series ter, quater etc, normally means `three times, four times' etc but in this context they are evidently equivalent to `for the third time' etc.
