De clunibus magnis amandis oratio

I have translated into rough Latin an extensive fragment of a much longer popular song. While providing a literal interlinear translation back into English for the benefit of Latin-less readers, I have, regrettably, made no attempt at rhyme or meter; alert readers will also notice that by avoiding translating the entire song, I have not only allowed myself more time for other work, but I have also neatly skipped several lines in the second half which are not easily susceptible to translation….

o consortes (quid est?) o consortes (quid est?)
(O colleagues [What is it?] O colleagues [What is it?])
habent amicae vestrae magnas clunes? (certe habent!)
(Do your girlfriends have large buttocks? [They certainly have!])
hortamini igitur ut eas quatiant (ut quatiant!)
(Encourage them therefore to shake them! [To shake them!])
ut quatiant! (ut quatiant!)
(To shake them! [To shake them!)
ut quatiant illas clunes sanas!
(To shake those healthy buttocks!)
Quislibet (and “Mixaloti Equitis”)
De clunibus magnis amandis oratio (Quislibet)

O, beloved high school teachers Fr. Clements and Sister Marie Lawrence, you who taught me the tongue of Caesar, forgive me, I beseech you, but this text has moved me to laughter.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *