Despite its use as a formal graduation hymn, it is a jocular, light-hearted composition that pokes fun at university life.

The lyrics reflect an endorsement of the bacchanalian mayhem of student life while simultaneously retaining the grim knowledge that one day we will all die.

The proposition that the lyrics originate in 1287[2] is based on a manuscript held in the Bibliothèque nationale de France in Paris.

A Latin version in a handwritten student songbook, dating from some time between 1723 and 1750, is preserved in the Berlin State Library (formerly located at Marburg); however, this differs considerably from the modern text.

The current Latin lyrics with a German translation were published by Halle in 1781 in Studentenlieder ("Students' Songs")[2] written by Christian Wilhelm Kindleben (1748-1785),[3] who admitted to making important changes to the text.

The New-Latin word Antiburschius refers to opponents of the 19th-century politically active German student fraternities.

While we're young, let us rejoice, Singing out in gleeful tones; After youth's delightful frolic, And old age (so melancholic!

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.

Long live our Republic and The gentlefolk who lead us; May the ones who hold the purse Be always ready to disburse Funds required to feed us.

The first appearance in print of the present melody was in Lieder für Freunde der Geselligen Freude ("Songs for Friends of Convivial Joy"), published in Leipzig in 1782, together with Kindleben's German lyrics; however, the tune was evidently well known before this date.

Johannes Brahms quoted the melody in the final section of his Academic Festival Overture, in a fortissimo rendition performed by the full orchestra.

[7] It is quoted in Johann Strauss II's "Studenten-Polka" (Française, Op.263), first performed at the students' ball at the Redoutensaal on 24 February 1862.

The tune is quoted, along with other student songs, in the overture of Franz von Suppé's 1863 operetta Flotte Burschen, the action being once again set at the University of Heidelberg.

Tom Lehrer mentioned the Gaudeamus in his satirical song, "Bright College Days": Turn on the spigot Pour the beer and swig it And gaudeamus igit-itur In 1979, New England Science Fiction Association member Joe Ross wrote a parody of the song, with lyrics referencing the 1955 film This Island Earth.