From the recording Born of Fire
Based on a medieval Latin Goliardic poem “In
taberna quando sumus” written early in the
13th century, part of the collection known as
the Carmina Burana . We chose to retain some
of the Latin while translating other parts to
make it more accessible. The original poem and
translation can be found on Wikipedia
Lyrics
When we are here in taberna
We’ll think not how we’ll go to dust
But we all hurry to gamble
Which always gives us cause to sweat
That’s what happens in the tavern
Where the money is our host
You may have questions to ask
So listen and hear what I say
Some will gamble, some will drink
Some of us will behave loosely
But of those who choose to gamble
Some are losers fate strips bare
Some have luck and win their clothes
here
Some are dressed in humble sacks
Here we play for no one fears death
Dice thrown in the name of Bacchus
Bibit hera, bibit herus
Bibit miles, bibit clerus
Bibit ille, bibit illa
Bibit servis, cum ancilla
Bibit velox, bibit piger
Bibit albus, bibit niger
Bibit constans, bibit vagus
Bibit rudis, bibit magnus
First of all to the wine merchant
The Libertines have their drinks
One drink for all the prisoners
And three drinks for those still living
Pour out four for all the Christians
Five drinks for the faithful dead
Six drinks now for the loose sisters
Seven for footpads in the wood
Eight drinks for the errant bretheren
Nine drinks for the dispersed monks
Ten for the seafaring seamen
Eleven for squabblers
Twelve for the contrite penitent
Thirteen for the wayfarers
And to the Pope as to the King
They all drink without restraint
Bibit pauper et egrotus
Bibit exul et ignotus
Bibit puer, bibit canus
Bibit presul et decanus
Bibit sorror, bibit frater
Bibit anus, bibit mater
Bibit ista, bibit ille
Bibit centum, bibit mille
Six hundred shining pennies would
Hardly suffice if everyone
Bibunt omnes sine meta
However much they drink with cheer
We are the ones they choose to scold
Whom everyone deems destitute
May those who slander us be cursed
Et cum iustis non scribantur
Bibit hera, bibit herus
Bibit miles, bibit clerus
Bibit ille, bibit illa
Bibit servis, cum ancilla
Bibit velox, bibit piger
Bibit albus, bibit niger
Bibit constans, bibit vagus
Bibit rudis, bibit magnus
Bibit pauper et egrotus
Bibit exul et ignotus
Bibit puer, bibit canus
Bibit presul et decanus
Bibit sorror, bibit frater
Bibit anus, bibit mater
Bibit ista, bibit ille
Bibit centum, bibit mille
Bibit! Bibit! In taberna!
Bibit! Bibit! In taberna!