Gaudeamus igitur
At each of our Graduation ceremonies, this piece is played as the Academic Procession enters the hall. Sometimes I’m in the procession, and hearing this can give you shivers as the doors are pushed open and you walk into the hall.
What’s even better is that many of the audience would be unaware that the lyrics, translated from Latin to English, are:
Let us rejoice, therefore, While we are young. After a pleasant youth After a troubling old age The earth will have us.
Where are they who, before us, Were in the world? Go to the heavens Cross over into hell If you wish to see them.
Our life is brief Soon it will end. Death comes quickly Snatches us cruelly To nobody shall it be spared.
Long live the academy! Long live the professors! Long live each student; Long live the whole fraternity; For ever may they flourish!
Long live all girls, Easy [and] beautiful! Long live [mature] women too, Tender, lovable, Good, [and] hard-working.
Long live the state as well And he 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! And also the opponents of the fraternities And their mockers, too!
