Ecce gratum explained

"Ecce gratum" (English: "Behold, the pleasant") is a medieval Latin Goliardic poem written early in the 13th century, part of the collection known as the Carmina Burana.^[1] It was set to music in 1935/36 by German composer Carl Orff as part of his Carmina Burana which premiered at Frankfurt Opera on 8 June 1937. Within Orff's Carmina Burana, this song is the 5th movement in section 1, Primo vere (In Spring).

Lyrics

Ecce gratumet optatumVer reducit gaudia,purpuratumfloret pratum,Sol serenat omnia.Iamiam cedant tristia!Estas redit,nunc receditHyemis sevitia. Ah!

Iam liquescitet decrescitgrando, nix et cetera;bruma fugit,et iam sugitVer Estatis ubera;illi mens est misera,qui nec vivitnec lascivitsub Estatis dextera. Ah!

Glorianturet letanturin melle dulcedinis,qui conantur,ut utanturpremio Cupidinis:simus jussu Cypridisglorianteset letantespares esse Paridis. Ah!^[2]

Behold, the pleasantand longed-forspring brings back joyfulness,violet flowersfill the meadows,the sun brightens everything,sadness is now at an end!Summer returns,now withdrawthe rigours of winter. Ah!

Now meltsand disappearsice, snow and the rest,winter flees,and now spring sucksat summer's breast:a wretched soul is hewho does not liveor lustunder summer's rule. Ah!

They gloryand rejoicein honeyed sweetnesswho striveto make use ofCupid's prize;at Venus' commandlet us gloryand rejoicein being Paris' equals. Ah!.

External links

• • , London Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Chorus, Richard Hickox

Notes and References

1. Web site: Carmina Burana. World Digital Library. 2018-01-27.
2. Web site: Carmina Burana – "Ecce gratum" lyrics. Classical Net. 2018-01-27.