Arthur's Farewell Latin/English/German Translation
By Ralf from "Solingen"

I don't know if Jerry Goldsmith knew Latin, but one can assume that if he didn't, in his position he was able to get an advisor and translator to take over the function of text writer. Therefore, I cannot accept Jerry Goldsmith's use of lyrics that do not make sense. Rather, I think that the understanding of the text is a false one in order to create a correct translation.

Just as in English and German, there are words in Latin that are ambiguous without reference. For example in English, "plane". Does it mean an aeroplane or the shape of a flat surface? This problem always arises in a language that does not have different words for all things. Or words are interpreted differently for cultural reasons.

I would like to point out that I am very interested in languages in general and that I also deal with translations. But that doesn't mean that I speak all the languages, such as English (it usually works, for once), Japanese, Russian, Latin, or even Klingon.

For me, the film, unlike music, makes a significant mistake. It suggests that it is set in the Middle Ages because of the design of the bridges, castles, equipment, knights' suits, etc. that it is set in the Middle Ages. This would give the impression that the plot is influenced by Christianity in terms of gods and religion, as we know it from the European Middle Ages. But anyone familiar with Athur and its stories will know that this is not the case. These are set in a much earlier period that was more influenced by Roman religion and God-consciousness. If you take the Roman influence as a basis, you know that people were also deified there.

Gods are beings who do things that humans cannot explain or foresee. With the awareness that if humans are capable of such deeds, they are gods who can die. When "Juda Ben Hur" in the movie BEN HUR, managed the impossible to win in the arena as a Jew against all the other competitors especially the Roman, the bearer of the victory wreath said "He is their God for today". Even if this is only a film, it is a good example of the Romans' relationship to their understanding of God.

You could say King Arthur did the same. He had a completely different way of thinking from the others around him, with which he was capable of unusual deeds. He created unity where there was only conflict. He created equality (round tables) where only power struggles created unjust decisions. And he succeeded with his wisdom. Therefore, Arthur could be worshipped as a god in this text. Then, in my opinion, one would have to completely abandon Christian thinking about God in this text, because otherwise these inconsistencies would arise.

Attention!

Despite all this, we can also arrive at a much simpler translation if we exhaust the Latin. Since the words leave a lot of room for manoeuvre without any explanations and we can thus exclude worship as a God. Which would also be in the spirit of Arthur's thinking.

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Hoc regnum meum est
This is my Kingdom
Dies ist mein Königreich

Note: "regnum" can be a "kingdom" or a "dominion, government", although nowhere else does the word "king" (Latin „Rex“) appear, I would leave it at kingdom, since Arthur held that title. A man can also rule over a dominion without being king.

Adorate me (Plural)
Adore me
Verehrt mich

Note: Adorate is perhaps due to the flow of the song, as mentioned above. The basic form is adorare. "adoramus te" means "we adore you", "adorant me"(plural) "adore me".

Dominus deus noster (2 versions)
1. preferred
Our Lordly (royal) protector
Unser herrschaftlicher (königlicher) Beschützer
2.
Our Lord and God (roaman thinking)
Unser Herr und Gott (römisch)

Note: here we have 2 ways, but I prefer the first version.
Dominus can be translated in many ways, depending on the period. There are about 10 possibilities, here in reference to lord, master, ruler, emperor, although I would leave out the medieval and early Christian meaning.
Deus is not quite as extensive to interpret, but the possibilities here also go from god, deity, protector, „patron god“ or ruler. I think Arthur would have seen himself as the highest protector at the round table. Therefore, I prefer the first version, which I would also stick to in the following.

Dominus solus est
(He is) Our only King (sovereign)
(Er ist) Unser einziger König (Herrscher)

Dominus, as before, means the ruler, sovereign, master, but in Arthur's sense he is always a king.

Deus solus est
Our only protector
Unser einziger Beschützer

In the sense of "dominus deus noster". Therefore, one notices here how one can do without deities in the sense of Arthur.

Dominus Dominus est
1.
(He is) The Ruler, Ruler
(Er ist) Der Herrscher, Herrscher
2.
The King, King
Der König, König

Why here ruler and not king (my opinion), because one is proud of his rule. His rule is the right one. Rulership here emphasises more his good will.
But king is also possible, of course. You can also make a pun out of it and alternate the words (see below).

Ave
Farewell!
Lebe wohl!

"Ave" is a greeting. It can be used both as a welcoming and a goodbye. In this sense, farewell, as in the title.

Adorate deum
Give honour to the Protektor
Ehrt den Beschützer

I would not translate deum as deity here any more than I would deus. Deum is in the accusative. Therefore: Whom do I honour? The protector (deum) .

Dominus dominus dominus deus
King King King Protector
König König König Beschützer
Alternative with pun:
Ruler king master protector
Herscher König Meister Beschützer

Of course, one can make a play on words here with the repetitions in the translation. In the song text, the repetition of Dominus has its effect.
Of course, the first choice for Dominus would be to always use King, in order to do justice to the original.
This also applies to the other repetitions.

Dominus Ave
Farewell King
Leb' wohl, König

The sentence continues (Farewell King, our only Protector)

Deus solus est
our only Protector
Unser einziger Beschützer

Dominus deus
King (and) Protector
König (und) Beschützer


Dominus noster
Our King
Unser König

Dominus mortus est
The King is dead
Der König ist tot

Dominus noster est in caelo
Our King is in Heaven
Unser König ist im Himmel

This would be the only sentence that could ask "in what heaven?". Is this a Christian understanding or has Arthur returned to heaven as God-like?

Dominus deus mortus est
The King and Protector ist dead
Der König und Beschützer ist tot

No problem with this translation ;-)

Deus in caelo
(Our) Protector (is) in heaven
(Unser) Beschützer(ist) im Himmel

Dominus noster est in caelo
Our King is in heaven
Unser König ist im Himmel