04.07.24: The song that wakes the dead - tempus est iocundum (Codex Buranus c1230)

04.07.24: The song that wakes the dead - tempus est iocundum (Codex Buranus c1230)

Health warning: don’t play it at full volume otherwise you’ll wake the neighbours!

The reference in the topic title to “waking the dead” was a comment from Youtube! After the deafening introduction, the song goes into a joyful thumping beat.

I’m sure we all have a piece of music that takes us “somewhere else”, to another place, another time. This piece takes me to the Middle Ages, and I hope it takes you there too.

I like some of the Mediaeval works, especially the songs, because they show many Latin constructions which are easier to access at this stage rather than diving into Tacitus.

I will first post only with the Latin lyrics.

In the second post I will give detailed notes and translation.

I also couldn't resist posting this on July 4th (my time zone): today is the UK general election - tempus est iocundum: the time is pleasing. I doubt it.

Codex Buranus (c.1230)

Tempus est iocundum

[v1] Tempus est iocundum, ō virginēs, modo congaudēte vōs iuvenēs,

Refrain

Ō, ō, tōtus flōreō!

Iam amōre virginālī tōtus ārdeō, novus, novus amor est, quō pereō.

[v2] Cantat philomena sīc dulciter, et modulāns audītur; intus caleō

[v3] Flōs est puellārum, quam dīligō, et rosa rosārum, quam sepe videō;

[v4] Mea mē cōnfortat prōmissiō, mea mē dēportat negātiō.

[v5] Mea mēcum lūdit virginitās, mea mē dētrūdit simplicitās.

[v6] Sile, philomēna, prō tempore, surge cantilēna dē pectore.

[v7] Tempore brūmālī vir patiēns, animō vernālī lascīviēns.

[v8] Venī, domicella, cum gaudiō, venī, venī, pulchra, iam pereō.