Whilst every evacuee will no doubt, as shall be seen through this website, have their own unique memories of a sojourn which for some lasted for four whole years of their formative youth, there are a number of key memories which seem to belong to the collective consciousness.
Dobinson in his plus-four country suit, rucksack and megaphone; the serried ranks of boys, masters, wives and the delightfully sounding 'lady helpers' gathered behind the school buidlings prior to departure. The girl guides at Monmouth and assorted locals eagerly awaiting the arrival of a girls school. Did the script writers of Dad's Army never hear this tale ...Mainwaring was bound to have blamed that particular mix-up on the long-suffering Wilson. The apprehensive gathering at the Rolls Hall, waiting to be allocated a half-decent billet, a vaguely prepared foster parent, a piece of furniture resembling a bed and preferably all three. One almost expects to learn it was at this point that Professor McGonnagal appeared from behind a curtain carrying the Sorting Hat!
Above all though, an abiding collective memory is the singing of the anthemesque Gaudeamus by the 350 plus Birmingham boys as they marched down Broad Street just two days before the start of World War 2. Having marched down Broad Street from Five Ways to Centenary Square myself little more than 12 months ago, alongside a couple of thousand boy scouts celebrating their Centenary and St George's Day, I think I can relate to the sense of excitement which, with more than a little similarity to the scouts of 2007, would have been best expressed through the joyous outburst of hearty, youthful voices.
But for those of us brought up on the anthems of Alice Cooper, Johnny Rotten and Oasis, what in heaven's name was Gaudeamus?
Gaudeamus igitur is actually not the name of the song but the opening line by which it is commonly known. The song's title is De Brevitate Vitae, Latin for "on the shortness of life" and Gaudeamus igitur is translated as "Therefore let us rejoice". The song is a popular academic anthem sung at University graduations throughout Europe. The melody comes from a medieval hymn by Strada (1267) but in spite of these dignified origins the song has been altered and adapted down the ages by generations of student and school boy pranksters to the point that in many countries it became a popular beer-drinking song, sung in celebration of the bacchanalian mayhem of student social life.
But in the context of the high-spirited KEFW pupils leaving behind their families and homes, marching off into the unknown under the growing shadow of what would be the most awesome and destructive war of the 20th century, the words of Gaudeamus seem extremely fitting and it is therefore little wonder that the sense of occasion inspired by it's singing has left such a profound memory for so many. Apart from there being a few lines in the song that Chairman Mao might have been proud to have penned, the overall affect is powerful enough to make my own generation's celebrity army of anthem writers bow their heads in humility. Here is the English translation - I have yet to learn which version(s) were sung by our serried ranks, I will be surprised if there wasn't a risque though creative alternative for verse five:
On the shortness of life
Let us rejoice therefore
While we are young.
After a pleasant youth
After the troubles of old age
The earth will have us.
Where are they
Who were in the world before us?
Go up to heaven
Or cross over into hell
If you wish to see them.
Our life is brief
It will be finished all too soon.
Death comes quickly
We are cruelly snatched away.
No one is spared.
Long live the academy!
Long live the teachers!
Long live each student!
Long live all the students!
May they always flourish!
Long live the virgins
Easy and beautiful!
Long live mature women also,
Tender and lovable
And full of good labor.
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!
Let whoever is anti-student
Who laughs at us, perish!
Dobinson in his plus-four country suit, rucksack and megaphone; the serried ranks of boys, masters, wives and the delightfully sounding 'lady helpers' gathered behind the school buidlings prior to departure. The girl guides at Monmouth and assorted locals eagerly awaiting the arrival of a girls school. Did the script writers of Dad's Army never hear this tale ...Mainwaring was bound to have blamed that particular mix-up on the long-suffering Wilson. The apprehensive gathering at the Rolls Hall, waiting to be allocated a half-decent billet, a vaguely prepared foster parent, a piece of furniture resembling a bed and preferably all three. One almost expects to learn it was at this point that Professor McGonnagal appeared from behind a curtain carrying the Sorting Hat!
Above all though, an abiding collective memory is the singing of the anthemesque Gaudeamus by the 350 plus Birmingham boys as they marched down Broad Street just two days before the start of World War 2. Having marched down Broad Street from Five Ways to Centenary Square myself little more than 12 months ago, alongside a couple of thousand boy scouts celebrating their Centenary and St George's Day, I think I can relate to the sense of excitement which, with more than a little similarity to the scouts of 2007, would have been best expressed through the joyous outburst of hearty, youthful voices.
But for those of us brought up on the anthems of Alice Cooper, Johnny Rotten and Oasis, what in heaven's name was Gaudeamus?
Gaudeamus igitur is actually not the name of the song but the opening line by which it is commonly known. The song's title is De Brevitate Vitae, Latin for "on the shortness of life" and Gaudeamus igitur is translated as "Therefore let us rejoice". The song is a popular academic anthem sung at University graduations throughout Europe. The melody comes from a medieval hymn by Strada (1267) but in spite of these dignified origins the song has been altered and adapted down the ages by generations of student and school boy pranksters to the point that in many countries it became a popular beer-drinking song, sung in celebration of the bacchanalian mayhem of student social life.
But in the context of the high-spirited KEFW pupils leaving behind their families and homes, marching off into the unknown under the growing shadow of what would be the most awesome and destructive war of the 20th century, the words of Gaudeamus seem extremely fitting and it is therefore little wonder that the sense of occasion inspired by it's singing has left such a profound memory for so many. Apart from there being a few lines in the song that Chairman Mao might have been proud to have penned, the overall affect is powerful enough to make my own generation's celebrity army of anthem writers bow their heads in humility. Here is the English translation - I have yet to learn which version(s) were sung by our serried ranks, I will be surprised if there wasn't a risque though creative alternative for verse five:
On the shortness of life
Let us rejoice therefore
While we are young.
After a pleasant youth
After the troubles of old age
The earth will have us.
Where are they
Who were in the world before us?
Go up to heaven
Or cross over into hell
If you wish to see them.
Our life is brief
It will be finished all too soon.
Death comes quickly
We are cruelly snatched away.
No one is spared.
Long live the academy!
Long live the teachers!
Long live each student!
Long live all the students!
May they always flourish!
Long live the virgins
Easy and beautiful!
Long live mature women also,
Tender and lovable
And full of good labor.
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!
Let whoever is anti-student
Who laughs at us, perish!
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