This is the original latin text of ‘Gaudemus Igitur’ one of the most famous student songs sang throughout the student organisations: from Spain, to Sweden, Italy to Germany. Originally written by the Goliards, it is based on a Latin manuscript of 1287 but the music we associate with it was composed in 1880. It is still sang today as a popular university drinking song and as a graduation hymn.
| Gaudeamus igitur, Juvenes dum sumus; Post icundum iuventutem, Post molestam senectutem Nos habebit humus. |
Let us therefore rejoice, While we are young; After our youth, After a troublesome old age The ground will hold us. |
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| Vita nostra brevis est, Brevi finietur; Venit mors velociter, Rapit nos atrociter; Nemini parcetur. |
Our life is brief, It will shortly end; Death comes quickly, Cruelly snatches us; No-one is spared. |
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| Ubi sint qui ante nos In mundo fuere? Vadite ad superos, Transite in inferos Hos si vis videre. |
Where are those who before us Existed in the world? You may go up to the gods, You may cross into the underworld If you wish to see them. |
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| Vivat academia, Vivant professores, Vivat membrum quodlibet, Vivat membra quaelibet; Semper sint in flore! |
Long live the university, Long live the teachers, Long live each male student, Long live each female student; May they always flourish! |
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| Vivat et republica Et qui illam regit. Vivat nostra civitas, Maecenatum caritas Quae nos hic protegit. |
Long live the state And those who rule it. Long live our city, And the charity of benefactors Which protects us here. |
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| Vivant omnes virgines, Faciles, formosae! Vivant et mulieres, Tenerae, amabiles, Bonae, laboriosae. |
Long live all young women, Easy and beautiful! Long live wives as well, Tender, loveable, Honest, hardworking. |
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| Pereat tristitia, Pereant osores. Pereat diabolus, Quivis antiburschius Atque irrisores! |
Perish sadness, Perish haters. Perish the devil, Whoever is against the student fraternity, As well those who mock us! |
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| Quis confluxus hodie Academicorum? E longinquo convenerunt, Protinusque successerunt In commune forum. |
Who has gathered now Of the university? They gather from long distances, Immediately joining Our common forum. |
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| Vivat nostra societas, Vivant studiosi! Crescat una veritas, Floreat fraternitas, Patriae prosperitas. |
Long live our fellowship, Long live the studious! May truth and honesty thrive, Flourish with our fraternity, And our homeland be prosperous. |
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| Alma Mater floreat, Quae nos educavit; Caros et commilitones, Dissitas in regiones Sparsos, congregavit. |
May our Alma Mater thrive, That which educated us; Dear ones and comrades, Who we let scatter afar, Let us assemble. |