"O Fortuna" as written by and 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 michi quoque niteris;
Nunc per ludum dorsum nudum fero tui sceleris.
Sors salutis et virtutis michi nunc contraria,
est affectus et defectus semper in angaria.
Hac in hora sine mora corde pulsum tangite;
quod per sortem sternit fortem, mecum omnes plangite!
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 michi quoque niteris;
Nunc per ludum dorsum nudum fero tui sceleris.
Sors salutis et virtutis michi nunc contraria,
est affectus et defectus semper in angaria.
Hac in hora sine mora corde pulsum tangite;
quod per sortem sternit fortem, mecum omnes plangite!
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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!
Nevertheless, this piece is astoundingly beautiful.