St John's College, Cambridge

St John's College is one of the colleges making up the University of Cambridge, and was founded by Lady Margaret Beaufort in 1511. It is now Cambridge's second largest college by size of its membership, after Trinity College. It is one of the richest colleges with an estimated financial endowment of £225m and income of £7.6m (2003).

College life

The School of Pythagoras, built in cir.1200 is built on land which was owned by Merton College, Oxford until 1959. It predates any of the other buildings in the College, although it was originally a private house, rather than part of the college.

Related Topics:
1200 - Merton College, Oxford - 1959

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

St. John's is also famous for possessing what is generally acknowledged to be one of the finest collegiate choirs in the world. The choir has a distinguished tradition of religious music and since the 1670s has sung the daily services in the College Chapel during the University Term. The services follow the Cathedral tradition of the Church of England, Evensong being sung during Term six days a week and Sung Eucharist in addition on Sunday mornings.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During the University Vacation the Choir carries out engagements in the UK and overseas. Recent tours have taken the Choir to various places, including Holland, the USA and France. The Choir has also made a large number of recordings.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

John's features heavily in the sports rivalries of the university and is the subject of a song: "I would rather be at Oxford than at John's", which is sung by students of neighbouring colleges to the tune of "She'll be coming round the mountains":

Related Topics:
Sport - Oxford

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:I'd rather be at Oxford than at John's

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:Ohh - I'd rather be at Oxford than at John's

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

::I'd rather be at Oxford

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

::Rather be at Oxford

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:I'd rather be at Oxford than at John's

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The lyrics are based on the widely-held belief at Cambridge that Oxford should be viewed with disdain (see Oxbridge rivalry).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The song sung in response by students at John's is "You'll Never Be at John's" to the tune of "You'll never walk alone":

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:Sign on, sign on, with hope in your hearts

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:But you'll never be at John's

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

::You'll never be at John's

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The College cocktail is the Red Boy, which is made of a bottle of Diamond White, grenadine, and a mixture of shots (usually Archers (Peach Schnapps) and vodka).

Related Topics:
Cocktail - Grenadine - Vodka

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The 'Red Boys' is the nickname of the 1st XV Mens Rugby Team, and the Red Boy is the name of the red jumper they wear. The 'Red Girls' is the nickname of the 1st Womens Rugby Team.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~