Let’s learn a Polish drinking song! Posted by Kasia on Feb 28, 2017 in Culture
“Europe has a great culture and an amazing history. Most important thing though is that people there know how to live! In America they’ve forgotten all about it. I’m afraid that the American culture is a disaster.” Johnny Depp
I truly don’t think that American culture is a disaster, but I definitely agree that Poles know how to live! Now, if you attend a traditional Polish wedding, most likely you will hear some drinking songs as the band goes around the room and sings with all the guests. You don’t have to know the songs, but it is fun to know the words, so you can join in!
Here is one for you:) I tried to translate it as best as I could:) This song is about a guy who doesn’t care about anything but his drink. He rejects his woman, his horse, and even on his death bed asks God to send him to where the Saints are drinking the beer!
“W piwnicznej izbie”
W piwnicznej izbie siedzę sam
Nad kuflem pełnym piwa
Oczyma wodzę tu i tam
A głowa mi się kiwa.
Ja nie dbam o czerwony nos
I o to że wciąż tyję
Ja biorę kufel w ręce swe
I piję i piję i piję
In the basement chamber I sit alone
Over a mug full of beer
Eyes rein here and there
A head nods to me.
I do not care about the red nose
And that I’m getting fat
I take a pint in my hand
I drink and drink and drink
A gdyby ktoś mi wybór dał
Dziewczynę, konia, trunek
I rzekł: wybieraj co chcesz sam
ja płace za rachunek
Na próżno dziewczę wdzięczy się
A koń wyciąga szyję
Ja biorę kufel w ręce swe
I piję i piję i piję
And if someone gave me a choice
Girl, horse, liquor
And he said, choose what you want yourself
I pay the bill
I don’t care about girl being flirty
Or horse stretching out his the neck
I take a pint in my hand
I drink and drink and drink
A gdy już sądu przyjdzie czas
I stanę u raju bram
Pokłonię się tam nisko w pas
Odpowiem bez pardonu:
“Rozkoszy wiele nie chcę znać
I wiedzieć gdzie się kryją
Lecz tam mnie Panie Boże wsadź
Gdzie święci piwo piją
And when the judgement time comes
I will stand at the gates of paradise
I bow down there low
I will answer without mercy:
“Pleasures many I do not want to know
Or where they are hidden
But there please send me Lord
Where saints are drinking beer.
I absolutely love this video from Karczma piwna! Enjoy! More drinking songs to come…
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Comments:
Edward:
I enjoyed the singing
Alan:
I enjoyed that – than you. Oczyma wodzę tu i tam – needs correction – wodzic is a verb not wodze – rein
Alan -Polish learner