Sto lat
Sto lat / ˈstɔlat / ("Hundred Years") is a traditional Polish song that is supposed to express good wishes to the person sung about .
The origin and author of the song are unknown.
It is mainly used as a name day and birthday song. But it is also started at weddings, honors from other occasions such as a work anniversary or title win of the favored team. The expressed wish “a long life” takes a back seat to a greater or lesser extent depending on the occasion.
“Sto lat” was sung during the home visit of Pope John Paul II and when the Polish President Lech Kaczyński took office .
The level of awareness of “Sto lat” is as high in the Polish-speaking area as Hoch should he live in German or Happy Birthday to You and For He's a Jolly Good Fellow in the English-speaking area.
text
The polish chorus is:
- Sto lat, sto lat,
- niech żyje, żyje nam.
- Sto lat, sto lat,
- niech żyje, żyje nam.
- Jeszcze raz, jeszcze raz, niech żyje, żyje nam,
- niech żyje nam!
Replacing “żyje” with “żyją” gives the plural form, which can be used to honor two people (e.g. the wedding couple) or entire groups of people.
Additional verses are usually appended to the text on unofficial or private occasions. A common German translation:
- A hundred years, a hundred years
- may he (she) live, live with us.
- A hundred years, a hundred years
- may he (she) live, live with us.
- Once more, once more, may he (she) live, may live,
- may live with us.
“Sto lat” as an expression
The phrase “sto lat” can be used to convey a wish to another person. In terms of usage, it corresponds roughly to the desired formulas “All the best!” Or “God protect you!”. Furthermore, “Sto lat!” Is still used as “Health!” (After someone else sneezes ), but far less often as “Na zdrowie!” - the literal “Health!”.
The expression “Sto lat!” Is also used as a toast at festivities (such as weddings) . The actual toast “Na zdrowie!” Is more common in everyday use.
