GAUDEAMUS • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Gaudeamus

Gaudeamus, Gaudeamus Igitur n. The name of a Latin song originating in the thirteenth century, celebrating the joy of youth as students in a university, and suggesting that they take advantage of youth before they succomb to inevitable old age and death. It is still sung by students, often with verses altered to include themes pertinent to particular schools. Song - Gaudeamus Igitur: Gaudeamus igitur Juvenes dum sumus Post jucundum juventutem Post molestam senectutem Nos habebit humus. Ubi sunt qui ante nos In mundo fuere? Vadite ad superos Transite in inferos Hos si vis videre. Vita nostra brevis est Brevi finietur. Venit mors velociter Rapit nos atrociter Nemini parcetur. Vivat academia Vivant professores Vivat membrum quodlibet Vivat membra quaelibet Semper sint in flore. Vivant omnes virgines Faciles, formosae. Vivant et mulieres Tenerae amabiles Bonae laboriosae. Vivant et republica et qui illam regit. Vivat nostra civitas, Maecenatum caritas Quae nos hic protegit. Pereat tristitia, Pereant osores. Pereat diabolus, Quivis antiburschius Atque irrisores. - English translation: Let us rejoice therefore While we are young. After a pleasant youth After a troublesome old age The earth will have us. Where are they Who were in the world before us? You may cross over to heaven You may go to hell If you wish to see them. Our life is brief It will be finished shortly. Death comes quickly Atrociously, it snatches us away. No one is spared. Long live the academy! Long live the teachers! Long live each male student! Long live each female student! May they always flourish! Long live all maidens Easy and beautiful! Long live mature women also, Tender and loveable And full of good labor. Long live the State And the One who rules it! Long live our City And the charity of benefactors Which protects us here! Let sadness perish! Let haters perish! Let the devil perish! Let whoever is against our school Who laughs at it, perish! (Latin verses by C. W. Kindeleben 1781)