Gaudeamus igitur
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- "De Brevitate Vitae" and "Gaudeamus" redirect here. For the work by Seneca the Younger, see De Brevitate Vitae (Seneca). For the Gaudeamus Foundation and Prizes, see Gaudeamus Foundation. For the rodent genus, see Gaudeamus (rodent).
De Brevitate Vitae (on the Shortness of Life), more commonly known as the Gaudeamus, is a popular academic commercium song in many European countries, mainly sung or performed at University graduation ceremonies. Despite its use as a formal graduation hymn, it is a jocular, light-hearted composition that pokes fun at university life. The song dates back to 1287[1], and was already known by the time of the founding of the alma mater of all European universities, the University of Bologna. It is in the tradition of carpe diem (seize the day), with its exhortations to enjoy life.
It has been known as a beer-drinking song in many ancient universities and is the official song of many schools, colleges, universities and institutions, as well as student societies.
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, for example, students of the University of St Andrews only sing verse 1 and 4 (see below), though all versions start with verse 1.
Johannes Brahms quoted the hymn in the final section of his Academic Festival Overture. Sigmund Romberg used it in the operetta "The Student Prince", which is set at the University of Heidelberg.
Also the song was adopted by the International University Sport Federation FISU like its hymn and of the Winter and Summer Universiades.
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[edit] Performances
A 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.
[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 before us Were in the world? |
| Vita nostra brevis est Brevi finietur. |
Our life is brief Soon it will end. |
| Vivat academia! Vivant professores! |
Long live the academy! Long live the professors ! |
| Vivant omnes virgines Faciles, formosae. |
Long live all girls Easy and beautiful! |
| Vivat et respublica 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! |
| Quis confluxus hodie Academicorum? |
Why today such a multitude Of scholars? |
| Vivat nostra societas, Vivant studiosi; |
Long live our society, Long live the scholars; |
| Alma Mater floreat, Quae nos educavit; |
May our Alma Mater thrive, Which has educated us; |
[edit] See also
