Ecce gratum (Original)

Carl Orff's 'Ecce gratum' is a vibrant celebration of the arrival of spring, a season synonymous with renewal, joy, and the end of winter's harshness. The song is part of Orff's larger work, 'Carmina Burana,' which is a collection of medieval poems set to music. The lyrics of 'Ecce gratum' are in Latin, reflecting the historical and cultural roots of the text.

The first stanza sets the scene with the joyous return of spring, described as 'optatum' (desired) and 'gratum' (welcome). The imagery of blooming meadows and the sun shining on everything ('sol serenat omnia') evokes a sense of universal happiness and the end of winter's gloom. The phrase 'iamiam cedant tristia' (now let sadness cease) underscores the emotional shift from the cold, dark days of winter to the warm, bright days of spring.

In the second stanza, the melting of snow and ice ('liquescit et decrescit grando, nix et cetera') symbolizes the thawing of hearts and spirits. The line 'ver estatis ubera' (spring is the breast of summer) suggests that spring nurtures and prepares the way for the fullness of summer. The stanza also touches on the idea that those who do not embrace the joys of spring ('illi mens est misera') are missing out on the season's pleasures and the vitality it brings.

The final stanza shifts to a more personal and romantic tone, celebrating those who revel in the sweetness of love ('in melle dulcedinis'). The reference to Cupid and Cypris (another name for Venus, the goddess of love) highlights the connection between spring and love, a common theme in literature and art. The call to be 'pares esse Paridis' (equal to Paris) invokes the legendary lover from Greek mythology, suggesting that spring is a time for romantic adventures and the pursuit of happiness.

Orff's composition, with its rhythmic and melodic richness, enhances the lyrical themes, making 'Ecce gratum' a timeless ode to the rejuvenating power of spring.