Carmina Burana Translation copyright Jay Ducharme 1980, 1991, 1994, 1999

a) Watch who first get Cupid's dart:/Those among us young at heart,/Always joining, late to part . . ./Too naive to yet be shy. // b) When a woman wants a guy,/Though she try to catch his eye,/Tease him, snare him, get him -- hard/As she may try,/ Unrequited love stands guard./Fortune pays her no regard.

VI) Day and night and everything/To me are embarrassing./Notice how girls laugh and sing --/Who can I blame?/They know I can't play their game,/And I hide in shame. // VII) Go ahead, make fun of me./I'll surprise you, wait and see!/I'll show you that I can be/Tall as Everest!/Taller than a redwood tree/When I'm at my best. // IX) My head's light; my spirit soars/From that gorgeous face of yours,/Though your heart's closed all its doors./But just one kiss,/Just one kiss upon your lips/Would be true bliss.

Little Miss Muffet, flat on her tuffet,/Said, "Who needs curds and whey?/Get me a man to lay!/Oh yeah!" // Little Jack Horner crept to her corner,/Told Muffet he was gay/ And frightened her away./Oh yeah.

V) How my heart is filled with air,/Just as if there's nothing there./My love abandoned me in bed;/Misery lies here instead./Ah. // VI) How her eyes shine in the light,/Like the stars you see at night./Empty longing fills my heart/As long as we are kept apart./ Ah. // VII) Hear me, Fortune! Hear my plea!/Bring my virgin back to me./Bring me her sweet lips to taste./Break the chains that hold her chaste./Ah. // Ref) Woe is me, woe is me,/My love's loose and running free.

If Jack and Jill go up the hill/And take a spill into the well,/Hoowee, they'll raise some hell!/Desire will mount and conquer them:/Jill will end up getting on/And Jack will end up getting off./And Jack will keep it up until/He's sure that he's exhausted Jill,/ And Jill will keep him on his back/Till she's sure she's exhausted Jack.

I) Hurry, hurry, hurry up!/While life lasts let's live it up!/"Hoo-hoo, you-hoo!/Hey, sexy! How about it?"// II) Face that draws a thousand sighs/When you gaze with open eyes,/Hair caressing down your thighs --/Beauty there to tantalize! // III) Redder than a redwood tree,/Purer than the crystal sea,/To the world I now decree/ Love for you eternally!

I) Pain and longing join inside my womb/For I know my love is hung/Between naiveness and salacious lust. // II) And when I find that man to whom/Hymns of passion may be sung,/Ah, then I'll take him on me, come what must.

I) Love is now in season;/Let passions fly!/Find a willing virgin/To satisfy. // II) Say you'll be my lover!/Don't ever leave./Say you'll love no other --/Don't make me grieve. // III) Winter hides desire,/But Spring cannot./Feed me with your fire,/Love, moist and hot. // IV) Like a budding flower/My blossoms show,/Waiting for your shower /To make me grow. // V) Come to me, my precious,/Come hear my cry./Try to be more gracious/Or I'll just die. // Ref) Oh, oh, don't you think I've known/You love me? And can't you see/My love for you has grown?/Hurry, hurry, hold me/Close before I/Die.

VIII) Glory be to virgin thighs,/Slender and exciting!/Flesh unsoiled by mortal touch/ Soon will be uniting./How I long to feel your lips/Tenderly delighting./Kiss me, Mary, Queen of Saints,/Virgin most inviting!