In case you weren't there - when he sang "with our glasses raised on high" at 1:00, he took his spectacles of his nose and raised them. That's why the audience laughed, if you were wondering.
"For my first encore..." This was his second song in the concert. ;-) And may we never forget the exquisitely slow uptake of his line, "Old grads, and old undergrads...."
1980's, my College buddies and I listened to this, sang it and referenced it ad-infinitum. 30 years later and John and Marcus are gone but the memories remain and this song makes me smile! Thanks ----mike
Several years ago we had company, and someone asked for a martini. I hadn't made one before, but I remembered the line following "Hearts full of youth, hearts full of truth..." She said it was the best martini she'd ever had.
turn on the spigot, pour the beer and swig it, and "Gaudeamus Igitur," which is a Latin song commonly sung at graduations. He breaks the last word into two syllables to intentionally rhyme with spigot and swig it.
This is loosely inspired by the Yale song, "Bright College Years," which presents college in a much more dignified manner. Lehrer's song is a bit more realistic for his crowd.
Turn on the spigot, Pour the beer and swig it, And gaudeamus igit-ur. "Gaudeamus Igitur" being a university drinking song which dates back to the 13th century.
So…11 years later…how did college work out? Did you continue to higher degrees? Are you working in the field you studied? Just curious reading your comment all these years later!
@@garyhelsinger Holy jeez, it’s been that long? College went terrifically. Got a BSME easily enough, made some great friends in a service fraternity, then went on to an engineering career in the nuclear field after an unrelated internship or two. Haven’t really felt the need to get a higher degree, but I’m open to it. Thanks for the prompt, it’s nice to look back on everything.
I've known this song since my bright college days over 40 years ago. There are still lines that remind me of the happy dayys i had then: the ivy covered professors is a particular favourite. Not all my college days were happy, but this raises glasses _ I have recently had a cataract op on both eyes and can see better than I've been able to since birth. I still need specs for medium distance to my computer screen. Forty years ago a friend and I used to go to Regent's Park in London with sandwiches. Loads of pigeons. They didn't get any. We snuck bits of roast meat thru the netting to the wolf enclosure. Unfotunately one of my ivy covered professors died a while ago, far too young, but this song is a good reminder.
@bwworld He says Gaudeamus Igitur, which is a reference to a latin song of the kind he is parodying, a college song, it means, "Let us rejoice therefore," and goes on about school life, etc.
Ah, memories. The line about the razor blade of life was going to be my high school yearbook quote, but the powers that be wouldn't let me use it. Too morbid, they said. Bastards.
You still deserve credit for trying to sneak Tom Lehrer in there, I used to sing those songs and high school every time I go the chance and am proud to report having been kicked out of chorus for singing a solo of "Be Prepared" at the beginning of class one day...
sorrry, he's dead. 1928 - ... 1928 - ... damn. He's Alive!!!! I checked a wikipedia article and says that he called some guy saying "Just tell the people i vote for Obama."
Wow, I do not remember leaving this comment at all! But I do remember sources claiming he passed away in 2010.... that's so dumb. I would love to meet the legend and get an autograph! I even had a chance 5 years ago, but since I thought what I thought at the time, I didn't even try. He's 93 now... incredible. Hope he is well.
i think he's like 81, tho. pretty old! thank goodness for CDs, otherwise we'd never hear all his great music! those of us who were born more recently, of course :)
0:28 "each in his own key, of course" Honestly though I do love Bright College Years (which this is largely based on), I think it's a shame that it's so difficult to sing. Most alma maters (almae matres? ugh) you barely need any knowledge of music to sing, Yale's always sounds terrible unless it's sung by an actual choir
You may have found out yourself sometime in the last 13 years, but he says “gaudeamus igitur,” which means “so let us rejoice,” is a popular tune to play to celebrate graduating students
Bright college days, oh, carefree days that fly To thee we sing with our glasses raised on high Let's drink a toast as each of us recalls Ivy-covered professors in ivy-covered halls Turn on the spigot Pour the beer and swig it And gaudeamus igit-ur Here's to parties we tossed To the games that we lost We shall claim that we won them some day To the girls young and sweet To the spacious back seat Of our roommate's beat up Chevrolet To the beer and benzedrine To the way that the dean Tried so hard to be pals with us all To excuses we fibbed To the papers we cribbed From the genius who lived down the hall To the tables down at Mory's Wherever that may be Let us drink a toast to all we love the best We will sleep through all the lectures And cheat on the exams And we'll pass, and be forgotten with the rest Oh, soon we'll be out amid the cold world's strife Soon we'll be sliding down the razor blade of life (spoken) Ready? But as we go our sordid sep'rate ways We shall ne'er forget thee, thou golden college days Hearts full of youth Hearts full of truth Six parts gin to one part vermouth
In case you weren't there - when he sang "with our glasses raised on high" at 1:00, he took his spectacles of his nose and raised them. That's why the audience laughed, if you were wondering.
"For my first encore..." This was his second song in the concert. ;-)
And may we never forget the exquisitely slow uptake of his line, "Old grads, and old undergrads...."
1980's, my College buddies and I listened to this, sang it and referenced it ad-infinitum. 30 years later and John and Marcus are gone but the memories remain and this song makes me smile! Thanks
----mike
rhyming "spigot, "swig it", and "igitur", is really one of his very best.
And the audience got the joke! How many would today? (2024)
Pure brilliance:
_6 parts Gin to one part Vermouth_
Several years ago we had company, and someone asked for a martini. I hadn't made one before, but I remembered the line following "Hearts full of youth, hearts full of truth..."
She said it was the best martini she'd ever had.
HILARIOUS! Tom Lehrer is an unfailing guide for life, my friend!
Wow 7 years later you told the same story on this -> ruclips.net/video/1Jq4tPutdGQ/видео.html video and I came here from there.
Sliding down the razorblade of life! How true! one of the greatest lines of all times! Thanks!
Somehow, the weary chuckle in the line, "...and we'll pass, and be forgotten with the rest" is more pithy in a subdued way.
"Turn on the spigot
Pour the beer and swig it
And gaudeamus igit - itur"
I love it!
turn on the spigot, pour the beer and swig it, and "Gaudeamus Igitur," which is a Latin song commonly sung at graduations. He breaks the last word into two syllables to intentionally rhyme with spigot and swig it.
Tom Lehrer reminds me that things haven't changed all that much
It's harder to get Benzedrine these days.
That cake is a hand! "I take a healthy bite from your dainty fingertips", anyone? :D
+Oliver Cuenca Indeed, I hadn't noticed that...
Actually this is a jojo reference
Lol
This song will always ring true. No matter when you've gone to college.
It's been forty years since I graduated college, but the song sure brings back memories. Everything he said in it is true!
This is loosely inspired by the Yale song, "Bright College Years," which presents college in a much more dignified manner. Lehrer's song is a bit more realistic for his crowd.
Turn on the spigot,
Pour the beer and swig it,
And gaudeamus igit-ur.
"Gaudeamus Igitur" being a university drinking song which dates back to the 13th century.
"Soon we'll be sliding down the razor blade of life ..." ;)
Stella Isis Rothe I love that vision!
Going to college tomorrow. This brightened my otherwise anxious day.
So…11 years later…how did college work out? Did you continue to higher degrees? Are you working in the field you studied? Just curious reading your comment all these years later!
@@garyhelsinger
Holy jeez, it’s been that long?
College went terrifically. Got a BSME easily enough, made some great friends in a service fraternity, then went on to an engineering career in the nuclear field after an unrelated internship or two. Haven’t really felt the need to get a higher degree, but I’m open to it. Thanks for the prompt, it’s nice to look back on everything.
beer and benzedrine (benzedrex today) still college necessities. some things never change
I've known this song since my bright college days over 40 years ago. There are still lines that remind me of the happy dayys i had then: the ivy covered professors is a particular favourite. Not all my college days were happy, but this raises glasses _ I have recently had a cataract op on both eyes and can see better than I've been able to since birth. I still need specs for medium distance to my computer screen. Forty years ago a friend and I used to go to Regent's Park in London with sandwiches. Loads of pigeons. They didn't get any. We snuck bits of roast meat thru the netting to the wolf enclosure. Unfotunately one of my ivy covered professors died a while ago, far too young, but this song is a good reminder.
Oh I wish I could SEE this gem - but thanks so much for this vocal!
Thank you Mr B for bringing this wonderful piece of music history into my life
Hear, hear, old chap!
"the razor blade of life"
In the songbook illustrated by Ronald Searle, the playing instruction for this song is "Adagio, con brio." Neat trick if you can do it.
He sure has brio 😀
This brings back great memories for an old man - lol.
Ivy covered professors...in ivy covered halls
@bwworld He says Gaudeamus Igitur, which is a reference to a latin song of the kind he is parodying, a college song, it means, "Let us rejoice therefore," and goes on about school life, etc.
"sliding down the razor blade of life"
*continuous laughter*
.
.
.
.
.
"Ready?"
6 parts gin one part vermouth = recipe for a Gibson 🍸
Ah, memories. The line about the razor blade of life was going to be my high school yearbook quote, but the powers that be wouldn't let me use it. Too morbid, they said. Bastards.
They truly are bastards
You still deserve credit for trying to sneak Tom Lehrer in there, I used to sing those songs and high school every time I go the chance and am proud to report having been kicked out of chorus for singing a solo of "Be Prepared" at the beginning of class one day...
Actually, he has been spreading rumors of his own death for years.
I've never heard that particular recording. Thanks!
Thanks for the upload man, I love Tom Lehrer and this song =D
"Ivy-covered professors in Ivy-covered halls"😆😆
1:16
❤🎉🎉🎉🎉
@pkemonfan101 Yeah, he's not dead, just very very old.
that picture looks like the time he thought up "when i hold your hand in mine". all hail lehrer
sorrry, he's dead. 1928 - ... 1928 - ... damn. He's Alive!!!! I checked a wikipedia article and says that he called some guy saying "Just tell the people i vote for Obama."
He quipped a little more recently that he doesn't mind people thinking he has already passed, because "it cuts down on the junk mail." LOL
Still hanging on in November 2021
Wow, I do not remember leaving this comment at all! But I do remember sources claiming he passed away in 2010.... that's so dumb. I would love to meet the legend and get an autograph! I even had a chance 5 years ago, but since I thought what I thought at the time, I didn't even try. He's 93 now... incredible. Hope he is well.
@@IgnatRemizov he lives very close to where I live is the funny thing
I like the picture
i think he's like 81, tho.
pretty old!
thank goodness for CDs, otherwise we'd never hear all his great music!
those of us who were born more recently, of course :)
93 now and still he continues to cheat death. Also, thank goodness for Spotify now
Yep, America simply isn't a fun place to live in anymore...
was it ever?
@@ozreadsyes. The 80s. Ye gods it was a blast!
@TimmyWing Yes, his humor was quite...cutting edge ;-)
0:28 "each in his own key, of course"
Honestly though I do love Bright College Years (which this is largely based on), I think it's a shame that it's so difficult to sing. Most alma maters (almae matres? ugh) you barely need any knowledge of music to sing, Yale's always sounds terrible unless it's sung by an actual choir
Could someone clear up one of the mysteries of this song for me?...What is he saying in Latin at 1:20-1:24? It seems to have gotten quite a laugh.
You may have found out yourself sometime in the last 13 years, but he says “gaudeamus igitur,” which means “so let us rejoice,” is a popular tune to play to celebrate graduating students
what is the lyric after pour the beer and swig it? i never catch it
Bright college days, oh, carefree days that fly
To thee we sing with our glasses raised on high
Let's drink a toast as each of us recalls
Ivy-covered professors in ivy-covered halls
Turn on the spigot
Pour the beer and swig it
And gaudeamus igit-ur
Here's to parties we tossed
To the games that we lost
We shall claim that we won them some day
To the girls young and sweet
To the spacious back seat
Of our roommate's beat up Chevrolet
To the beer and benzedrine
To the way that the dean
Tried so hard to be pals with us all
To excuses we fibbed
To the papers we cribbed
From the genius who lived down the hall
To the tables down at Mory's
Wherever that may be
Let us drink a toast to all we love the best
We will sleep through all the lectures
And cheat on the exams
And we'll pass, and be forgotten with the rest
Oh, soon we'll be out amid the cold world's strife
Soon we'll be sliding down the razor blade of life
(spoken) Ready?
But as we go our sordid sep'rate ways
We shall ne'er forget thee, thou golden college days
Hearts full of youth
Hearts full of truth
Six parts gin to one part vermouth
2:52
Pretty? LMBO! There's no such thing as the razor blade of life.
Its all European countries days.
No kidding
lol. that must have sucked for you