The School Song was written in 1908 by Dr H.F. Henniker ARAM., music master, to Latin words written by the then Headmaster, Revd C.G. Duffield, MA (Headmaster 1898 - 1913).
It remains very much in use today, although in an abridged form. The modern use is to sing verses one 1 and 5, with the chorus. Most Old Boys are surprised to find how easily it can be recalled, though a crib sheet is always available for those who left the classics behind years ago.
You can listen to a recording of Gaudeamus here:
Gaudeamus (recorded MGS Big Hall 17 October 1996) MP3 Format (1.12Mb)
Scholam concinamus nostram
Maidstonensi urbe impostam,
Rege Eduardo, ante hos tam
Longos annos conditam. |
1 |
|
Let us sing together of our school,
situated in the town of Maidstone,
and founded in the reign of King
Edward, so many long years ago. |
Maidstonenses gaudeamus
Laudibus, et efferamus
Scholam nostram, quae oramus
Sempiterna floreat. |
Chorus |
|
Let us rejoice, Maidstonians, and
let us uphold with praises our
School, which we pray may flourish
for ever. |
Musa vocat nos ad montem
Qua doctrinae celat fontem
Persequamur ut insontem
Virtus vitam decoret. |
2 |
|
The muse calls us to the mountain
where she conceals a fountain of
knowledge. Let us follow, that
virtue may adorn an innocent life. |
| Maidstonenses gaudeamus... |
Chorus |
|
Let us rejoice... |
Indies campum petamus;
Pilae, folli, studeamus,
Robur mentis ut colamus
Cum robusto corpore. |
3 |
|
Every day let us seek the field,
let us study ball and leather, so
that we may cultivate strength of
mind with a strong body. |
| Maidstonenses gaudeamus... |
Chorus |
|
Let us rejoice... |
Sic legendo, ediscendo
Sic jubentibus parendo,
Diligenter et ludendo
Fit juventus cultior. |
4 |
|
Thus, by reading, by learning, by
obeying those who order us, and
by playing diligently, the young
are made more cultivated. |
| Maidstonenses gaudeamus... |
Chorus |
|
Let us rejoice... |
Forsan olim meminisse
Nos juvabit, et vixisse
Dignos illis quos fuisse
Gloriamur socios. |
5 |
|
Perhaps one day it will be pleasant
for us to remember, and to have
lived worthy of those men we
boast to have been our friends. |
| Maidstonenses gaudeamus... |
Chorus |
|
Let us rejoice... |
Apud Indos quot caletis,
Juxta Boream quot frigetis,
Universi extolletis
Domus vestrae gloriam. |
6 |
|
However much you burn in the Indies,
however much you freeze in the
North, one and all you will extol
the glory of your foundation. |
| Maidstonenses gaudeamus... |
Chorus |
|
Let us rejoice... |