Vive la compagneia

lively
1. (solo) Ich nehm mein Gläschen in die Hand,
(tutti) vive la compagneia! [the g is omitted in the pornunciation]
(solo) und fahr damit ins Unterland,
(tutti) vive la compagneia!
   (refrain, tutti)vive la, vive la, vive la va,
   vive la, vive la, hopsasa!
   vive la compagneia!
2. Ich nehm' mein Gläschen wieder hervor
und halt's ans recht' und linke Ohr.
3. Ich setz' mein Gläschen an den Mund
und trink' es aus bis auf den Grund.
4. Dem Gläschen ist sein Recht gescheh'n,
was oben ist, muß unten steh'n.
5. Das Gläschen, das muß wandern
von einem Freund zum andern.

1. I take my glass with my hand
and go with it to the Lowlands [the glass is knocked with its brim under the tabletop]
2. I get it out again
and put it near my right and left ear.
3. I put my glass to my mouth
and empty it completely.
4. The glass has got its due
and must stand upside down.
5. The glass must wander
from one friend to the other. [the glass is filled again and handed to the neighbour]
[repeat procedure for all participants]

The parts 3 to 5 of the song can be retraced to older songs with different tunes back to the 16th century; apparently a special tumbler without a foot was handed around and had to be emptied completely, since it could only stand on its brim. The rigmaroles at the beginning (putting the glass elsewhere before drinking) must be younger additions. The tune stems from the 17th century; in the present form it is used since 1815 at German universities. It is the same one as given in the DT, which - alas! - seems to be a little bit corrupted.
I tought it my fags (germ. Fux = freshman) when I was Fag Major some 40 years ago.

Sing and enjoy
Wilfried