Gaudeamus Igitur is regarded as the oldest student song, based on a latin manuscript of 1287.  The oldest known version of the Latin words is in a handwritten student song book dated between 1723 and 1750, but the modern version of the words seems to date from 1781 and the music from 1794.  The music is best known, however, from its use by Johannes Brahms in his Academic Festival Overture (Opus 80) composed in 1880.  The overture is a medley of student songs whose climax is a majestic rendition of Gaudeamus Igitur.  It is used in countless graduation ceremonies throughout the world and particularly in Europe. It is sung in keeping with an academic tradition of at least 900 years which began with the foundation of the University of Bologna, the Alma Mater of European universities.

Gaudeamus Igitur in Latin with English Translation:

Gaudeamus igitur
Juvenes dum sumus
Post jucundum juventutem
Post molestam senectutem
Nos habebit humus.

While we are you, let us rejoice
Singing out in gleeful tones
After youth’s delightful frolic
And old age so melancholic
Earth will cover our bones

Vita nostra brevis est
Brevi finietur
Venit mors velociter
Rapit nos atrociter
Nemini parcetur

Life is short and all too soon
We emit our final gasp
Death ere long is on our back
Terrible is his attack
None escapes his dread grasp

Vivat academia
Vivant professores
Vivat membrum quodlibet
Vivat membra quaelibet
Semper sint in flore!

Long live our academy
Teachers whom we cherish
Long live all the graduates
And the undergraduates
Every may they flourish

Vivat nostra societas
Vivant studiosi
Cescat una veritas
Floreat fraternitas
Patriae prosperitas

Long Live our society
Scholars wise and learned
May truth and sincerity
Nourish our fraternity
And our land’s prosperity

Alta Mater floreat
Quae nos educavit
Caros et commilitones
Dissitas in regiones
Sparsos, congregavit

May our Alta Mater thrive
A font of education
Friends and colleagues, where’er they are
Wether from near of from afar
Heed her invitation