Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

Euterpe13 wrote:what happened to the much-awaited translation of Carmen/Votum ? I learnt it, like everyone else, but as my knowledge of latin was and is zilch, I could have been singing a recipe for toad-in-the hole...

It would be satisfying, even at this late stage, to finally know what we were on about...
B.

Err, sorry! I've been hanging around in pubs waiting to meet men I've got to know on the internet!!

I'll get it done eventually.........

Meanwhile, here are two I nicked from another site :

Raise one harmonious song
my schoolfellows with joyful sound
and pour forth prayers to Christ
the Patron of the House.

Favour our song,
all you many friends
who feel love for the Hospital
and the blue coat.

As through past centuries
so in time to come
may God grant all good things
and that He himself will help us.

May our fellowship not be spoilt
by forward rivalry
nor our bodies be harmed by consumption
or a host of fevers.

May there be virtuous behaviour
and useful teaching
and the glory of literature
and just discipline.

May manly games prosper
to promote health
through brotherly contests
and foster courage.

May the skills of the playing-field flourish
which through enjoyable exercise
add strength to the body
and beauty to strength.

May our House be more fortunate day by day
with vigour always renewed
and flourish, as it has flourished,
in honour everlasting.


tr. John Hamilton
(v. 6 tr. JH Lewen)

and in verse........


Now let us all with one accord
And with a shout resounding
Raise praise and prayer to Christ, whose name
Has marked us since our founding.

Join with us, friends from far and near
Who watch the unfolding story
Of this our vital Bluecoat school,
The heir of ancient glory.

May the great blessings long enjoyed
Still day by day attend us,
And now and ever may the Lord
Watch over and befriend us.

Discord and faction banished hence,
Let us remain united;
And may our terms by no disease
Nor chills and colds be blighted.

Let honest conduct be the rule,
And let us without turning
Pursue the highest that we know
In living and in learning.

Quickness of eye and hand and foot
In friendly contest striving,
On pitch or track, in court or pool,
Shall keep us fit and thriving.

While our gymnastic exercise -
Labour and recreation -
Develops sturdiness and grace
In balanced combination.

So may the House grow happier yet,
Its age more vigour lending;
Et floreat, ut floruit,
In glory never-ending.


Tr. Michael Cherniavsky

Blimey , just as well I/we didn't know what we were on about, we'd never have got through Speech Day with a straight face !

Thanks R.R. !
B.

Hanging around in pubs to meet men, RR ?????

Taking your summer holidays in Brighton next year ????

I have waited 50-odd years to learn what the words of the Votum actually meant! In my schooldays I knew that "unum" must mean "one" but that was as far as I got; ie, not even to the second word!! To think that we all sang it with such gusto and no more than about 1 percent of us can have actually known what it meant!!

J.R. wrote:Hanging around in pubs to meet men, RR ?????

Taking your summer holidays in Brighton next year ????

Brighton ? Surely you mean Sitges - better weather , cheaper drinkies and SO much more choice, sweetie ...( all those lovely tanned bodies ...)
B.

J.R. wrote:Hanging around in pubs to meet men, RR ?????

Taking your summer holidays in Brighton next year ????

Not just men, J.R. (and only one turned up anyway.....)!

And anyway, who hung around in The Bear to meet me, then??

Having your Mrs. with you is no defence - I was still a stranger from cyberworld!

I haven't been to Brighton in years - I think you have to grow a 'scrotum-tickler' moustache before they'll let you in!

Richard Ruck wrote:I haven't been to Brighton in years - I think you have to grow a 'scrotum-tickler' moustache before they'll let you in!

I could tell you a very amusing story about me and 'Er Indoors' in Brighton a few years ago, but I'm not going to !

J.R. wrote:

Richard Ruck wrote:I haven't been to Brighton in years - I think you have to grow a 'scrotum-tickler' moustache before they'll let you in!

I could tell you a very amusing story about me and 'Er Indoors' in Brighton a few years ago, but I'm not going to !

Oh go on.....!

Richard Ruck wrote:

J.R. wrote:

Richard Ruck wrote:I haven't been to Brighton in years - I think you have to grow a 'scrotum-tickler' moustache before they'll let you in!

I could tell you a very amusing story about me and 'Er Indoors' in Brighton a few years ago, but I'm not going to !

Oh go on.....!

Oh, all-right, then.........................

A few years back, during the summer, we were staying with a mate in Newhaven. On Sunday the three of us drove into Brighton and decided to park at the marina and walk into the town centre.

There is a specific 'meeting' place for those of the Julian Clary persuasion - I think it's called Queens Mount. Craig and I were in deep conversation as we strolled along.

I couldn't work out why all the guys reading their Sunday newspapers on the benches were being so polite and friendly, wishing us a cheery 'Good Morning', until I turned round and saw Jan walking a good 100 yards behind us, laughing her head off !

J.R. wrote:I think it's called Queens Mount.

You're making it up!!

Isn't that near Dyke Road???

Richard Ruck wrote:It's from the school song, 'Votum', and does indeed refer to the coats and their colour.

The word 'caerulean' exists in English, generally meaning deep blue or green (although it has also been used to mean 'sky blue', I think).

The latin adjective 'caeruleus' was often used used to describe the colour of the sea, hence it can mean blue or green.

The words I found came from the Housey magazine in an article about the CH uniform entitled - 'Caeruleaeque Vestis'.

shoz wrote: The words I found came from the Housey magazine in an article about the CH uniform entitled - 'Caeruleaeque Vestis'.

Here's a thought - do you think that it might just be possible that the magazine took the words from the song?

Richard Ruck wrote:

shoz wrote: The words I found came from the Housey magazine in an article about the CH uniform entitled - 'Caeruleaeque Vestis'.

Here's a thought - do you think that it might just be possible that the magazine took the words from the song?

Richard, that is not kind - where's your CH Xmas spirit ? ( or has JR already drunk it?...)