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Gaudeamus igitur
arranged by Christian Wilhelm Kindleben, 1781
trans. William F. Richardson, 2003


So let’s have some fun
while we’re young.
After the joy of youth,
after the burden of old age,
The earth will have us.

Where are they who lived
on earth before our time?
Go up into heaven,
pass over into hell:
that’s where they are.

Our life is short;
it will soon be over.
Death comes quickly
and seizes us horribly:
no-one will be spared.

Long live the university;
long live the teachers;
long live all the members;
long live every member;
may they flourish for ever.

Long live our country
and its head of state.
Long live our city,
and the generosity of our patrons
which supports us here.

Long live all young women,
compliant and beautiful.
Long live all the older ones,
tender and lovable,
good and hard-working.

Death to sadness;
death to all who hate;
death to the devil,
to all who dislike students
and to those who mock us.

[Note. When the Latin lyric is sung to its famous tune the first couplet and the last line in each stanza are repeated.]


FORUM ROMANUM