O Fortuna

Therion's rendition of 'O Fortuna' is a powerful and evocative piece that delves into the capricious nature of fate and fortune. The lyrics, originally from the medieval Latin Goliardic poetry collection 'Carmina Burana,' paint a vivid picture of the ever-changing and often cruel nature of luck and destiny. The song opens with an invocation to Fortuna, the Roman goddess of fortune, comparing her to the moon, which is constantly waxing and waning. This metaphor sets the stage for the theme of life's unpredictability and the inevitable highs and lows that everyone experiences.

The lyrics describe how fortune can be both nurturing and destructive, highlighting the duality of its nature. The line 'Vita detestabilis' (detestable life) underscores the harshness of existence, where one moment can bring prosperity and the next, destitution. The imagery of ice melting ('Dissolvit ut glaciem') symbolizes the transient nature of power and wealth, emphasizing that nothing is permanent. This theme is further explored through the concept of the 'Rota Fortunae' or the Wheel of Fortune, which spins unpredictably, bringing both good and bad fortune to those it touches.

The song also touches on the personal impact of fortune's whims, with lines like 'Nunc per ludum dorsum nudum fero tui sceleris' (Now through the game, I bear my naked back to your villainy) illustrating the vulnerability and suffering caused by fate's capriciousness. The final stanza calls for collective lamentation ('Mecum omnes plangite!'), urging everyone to mourn the relentless and often unjust nature of fate. Therion's powerful musical arrangement amplifies the emotional weight of the lyrics, creating a haunting and unforgettable experience that resonates with the listener's own encounters with the unpredictability of life.