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Latin Lyrics 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,
obumbratum
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 Lyrics

O Fortune,
changeable
as the moon.
you are always either improving
or deteriorating.
Detestable life
at one moment thwarts
and at another
mockingly indulges the mind's desire
melting away
both poverty and power
like ice.
Vain,
monstrous Fate,
you turning wheel
you can, when you will,
destroy bad circumstances
and delusive success alike.
Veiled
and shadowy,
you attack me too;
now at your whim
I bare my back
under your assault.
You, Fate, who dispose
health and strength
are now against me;
my desires
and my weakness
are in constant slavery.
At this hour
without delay
let all pluck the string;
let all lament with me
how the brave man
is crushed by Fate.