Nie kehrst du wieder, gold'ne Zeit, so froh und ungebunden!«: Studentische Lieder der Erinnerung im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert

From the beginning of the 19th century to the present, the academic sector has had its own genre of songs of remembrance. These songs were mostly reminders of the past time as a student and individual freedom and as a rule, applied to student life, the university and the surrounding landscape. Particularly well-known are the Studienerinnerungsfeste, celebrated from 1817 to 1935, where their own poems and compositions were created by some unknown, as well as some notable poets and composers. In addition to these there were also other, often political songs, in the 1920s primarily by Walter Flex. This led to various attempts by the NS student leaders after 1933 to use the tradition of the student remembrance songs for National Socialist purposes which ultimately did not succeed. Even after 1945 new songs in the style of the old traditions were created. This can be seen especially in the memories of academics about wartime and for some, about the long years in captivity as a prisoner of war. Numerous student songs were seen as the basis and means for self-reflection and limits, but also as a medium and conveyor of hope and confidence. The effect of all of this could be found in their own songbooks, in the popular students' songbooks as well as in music sheets.