DESCRIPTION:
Recorded at Grinnell College (Sebring-Lewis Hall) on 2013-04-14 as a part of the "Collegium Musicum" (http://www.grinnell.edu/academic/music/ensembles/collegium) Spring concert.

Most of the poems and songs in the original Carmina Burana manuscript appear to be the work of Goliards, clergy (mostly students) who set up and satirized the Catholic Church.
The Carmina Burana contains numerous poetic descriptions of a raucous medieval paradise, for which the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus, known for his advocation of the blissful life, is even taken as an authority on the subject. In this parody world, the rules of priesthood include sleeping in, eating heavy food and drinking rich wine, and regularly playing dice games. In fact, though, this outspoken reverie of living delights and freedom from moral obligations shows "an attitude towards life and the world that stands in stark contrast to the firmly established expectations of life in the Middle Ages."

I. Victimae paschali laudes - Wipo of Burgundy (?) 2:33
To the Paschal Victim, let Christians offer a sacrifice of praise.
The Lamb has ransomed his sheep; the innocent Christ has reconciled sinners with the Father.
Death and life confronted each other in a prodigious battle; the Prince of life who died, now lives and reigns.
Tell us, Mary, what did you see upon the way? "I saw the sepulcher of the living Christ; l saw the glory of the Risen One.
l saw the angels, his witnesses, the shroud and the garments. Christ, my hope, is risen; He will go before his own into Galilee."
The truthful Mary alone is more to be believed than the deceitful crowd of Jews.
We know that Christ is truly risen from the dead; O victorious King, have mercy on us.
Amen. Alleluia.

II. Bacche, bene venies - Anon. 5:07
1. Welcome, Bacchus, long awaited, through you our spirits are made joyful. Refrain: This wine, good wine, noble wine, makes a man properly brave.
2. Bacchus, in his strength, conquering men's hearts, stirs their souls to love. Refrain: This wine...
3. Bacchus, soothing pain and sorrow, brings joyful jest and love's own laughter. Refrain: This wine...
4. Bacchus uses his power divine, to make the man of erudition a happy man as well. Refrain: This wine...
5. Bacchus, renowned divinity, we are here as comrades, happy to sample your generous gifts. Refrain: This wine...
6. We all sing to you in celebration, praising you as you deserve for now and evermore. Refrain: This wine, good wine, noble wine, makes a man properly brave.

III. Alte clamat Epicurus Walther von derVogelweide, arr. anon. 7:32
Epicurus calls with aloud voice: "A full belly has no cares. Let the belly be my god. The palate requires such a god, whose temple is the kitchen, redolent of the divine."
Says the belly, "l care for naught except myself. So I live my life in peace, gently comporting myself so that over drink, over food, l might sleep and rest in peace."

IV. Victimae novali zynke ses - Wipo, arr. anon. 9:04
The dice offer five-six a new victim.
Six-five took away the clothes, horse, coat, and shoes from their possessor.
Death and fortune fought a strange duel; the three dice eventually conquered it.
Now he cries, O miserable Fortune! What have you done? You have quickly made the clothed naked and the rich coequal with the needy.
By three false witnesses you have taken away my clothes. Let Six-five raise my hopes; let them quickly proceed to the table.
We must only believe that the six-five-four is more truthful than a throw of three-two-one is deceitful.
We know that they truly took the clothes away from the gamblers. You the victor, six, have mercy on us!
Amen. Alleluia.

V. Tempus est jocundum - Anon. 10:53
1: Now is the time to play, all you maidens! Now make merry with them, all you young men!
Refrain; Oh, oh, I am bursting forth into blossom! Now I am on fire with first love; new love is what l am dying of!
2: My promise comforts me; my refusal devastates me. Refrain: Oh, oh...
3: ln wintertime, man is patient; with the breath of spring he becomes lascivious! Refrain: Oh, oh...
4: My virginity teases me; my innocence holds me back. Refrain: Oh, oh...
5: Come little mistress, with joy in your heart; come my beauty, I am already dying! Refrain: Oh, oh...