O FORTUNA (1937) - Carl Orff

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;
obumbrata
et velata
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
cordae pulsum tangite!
quod per sortem
sternit fortem,
mecum omnes plangite!

Translation:

O Fortune, like the moon of ever changing state, you are always waxing
or waning; hateful life now is brutal, now pampers our feelings with its
game; poverty, power, it melts them like ice.

Fate, savage and empty, you are a turning wheel, your position is
uncertain, your favour is idle and always likely to disappear; covered
in shadows and veiled you bear upon me too; now my back is naked through
the sport of your wickedness.

The chance of prosperity and of virtue is not now mine; whether willing
or not, a man is always liable for Fortune's service. At this hour
without delay touch the strings! Because through luck she lays low the
brave, all join with me in lamentation!