Gaudeamus igitur
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- For the work by Seneca the Younger, see the article "De Brevitate Vitae (Seneca)".
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De Brevitate Vitae (on the Shortness of Life), perhaps more commonly known by its first words Gaudeamus igitur ("Therefore let us rejoice") is a song in Latin that is a popular academic commercium song in many European countries. In many modern Western nations it is sung as an anthem at University graduation ceremonies. The melody is inspired by a medieval hymn by Strada, bishop of Bologna in 1267[citation needed]. Despite its use as a formal graduation hymn, it is a jocular, light-hearted composition that pokes fun at university life.
It has been known as a beer-drinking song in Italian, German, Dutch and Swiss (and also British, Swedish, Estonian, Finnish, Spanish and even Australian) universities by many generations of students. In Belgian and Dutch universities, where drinking and singing is actually a common activity for students, it is one of the 'official' songs which are sung as the opening of these singing activities. It is also the opening song for all Swiss student associations part of the Society of Swiss Students (SES, Schw-STV).[citation needed]
The lyrics reflect an endorsement of the bacchanalian mayhem of student life while simultaneously retaining the grim knowledge that one day we will all die. The song contains humorous and ironic references to sex and death, and many versions have appeared following efforts to bowdlerise this song for performance in public ceremonies. In private, students will typically sing ribald words.
The song is sometimes known by its opening words "Gaudeamus igitur" or simply "Gaudeamus". In the UK, it is sometimes affectionately known as "The Gaudie" (see: Gaudy). The many centuries of use have given rise to numerous slightly different versions.
Johannes Brahms quoted the hymn in the final section of his Academic Festival Overture. Sigmund Romberg used it in the operetta "The Student Prince".
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[edit] Performances
An excellent performance of the first, most characteristic strophe was recorded in mid-twentieth century by the Italian-American tenor Mario Lanza, and is still available, under the title "Gaudeamus Igitur".
An excerpt of the song was also performed by cast members of the television series The West Wing during the episode entitled "Debate Camp".
A variation was the original opening music for the Says You program on the US broadcaster WGBH.
An excerpt is also performed as the musical theme of the classic 1951 Cary Grant/Jeanne Crain film People Will Talk, delightfully "conducted" by Grant.
This song is one of the school anthems at Netherthorpe School in Derbyshire (UK), Woodford County High School in Essex (UK), Palmerston North Girls' High School in Palmerston North (NZ) and at Chavagnes International College, France, were it is performed in assemblies and special ceremonies. This song is also performed as one of the many school anthems for Palmerston North Boys' High School in Palmerston North (NZ).
In Slovenia, Gaudeamus Igitur is usually performed by the students at the prom.
[edit] Text and translation
An eighteenth century version (C. W. Kindleben 1781) is shown here with each verse translated into English. This version uses the convention that consonantal i and u in the Latin are written as j and v respectively. The word antiburschius ("anti-student") is not really Latin, but has been invented based on the German word Bursch or Bursche, meaning "young fellow" or "student".
Note that when sung, the first two lines and the last line of each stanza are repeated, for instance:
- Gaudeamus igitur
- Juvenes dum sumus.
- Gaudeamus igitur
- Juvenes dum sumus.
- Post jucundam juventutem
- Post molestam senectutem
- Nos habebit humus —
- Nos habebit humus.
| Latin | English |
|---|---|
| Gaudeamus igitur Juvenes dum sumus. |
Let us rejoice therefore While we are young. |
| Ubi sunt qui ante nos In mundo fuere? |
Where are they Who were in the world before us? |
| Vita nostra brevis est Brevi finietur. |
Our life is brief It will be finished all too soon. |
| Vivat academia! Vivant professores! |
Long live the academy! Long live the teachers! |
| Vivant omnes virgines Faciles, formosae. |
Long live the virgins Easy and beautiful! |
| Vivant et res publica et qui illam regit. |
Long live the state as well And he who rules it! |
| Pereat tristitia, Pereant osores. |
Let sadness perish! Let haters perish! |
