Ivan Benak

pučki pjesnik · folk poet  ·  Sopje 1933. – Valpovo 2015.Sopje 1933 – Valpovo 2015

Prigodne pjesme i posvete

Kad Kočije zasviraju

Occasional verse and dedications

When Kočije Strike Up

Tamburaši sad preplićužice koje zvuka daju.To KOČIJE svojim radom,slušateljstvu radost daju.

Now the tambura players weavestrings that ring out with their sound;it's Kočije, with their work,bringing joy to all around.

Ovu pjesmu od KOČIJAslušao bih rado i jakada složno zasviraju„TO JE MOJA SLAVONIJA“!

This Kočije song, so dear,I'd be glad as well to hear:“This Is My Slavonia”,when they play in tune so clear!

Kad Martinje kaže svoje,pravo vino je u čaši.A „KOČIJE“ tada poje:„DOBRO VINO TAMBURAŠI“!

When St Martin has his say,real wine's in the glass again;then Kočije sing away:“Good Wine, You Tambura Men!”

Kad tambure šorom bruje,onu pjesmu rado želim.Od „KOČIJA“ kad se čuje:„DOŠLO VRIJEME DA SE ŽENIM!“

When the tamburas hum down the street,that's the song that fills my head,from Kočije, sung so sweet:“Time Has Come for Me to Wed!”

Žice kada kažu svoje,svu ljepotu nama pruže,a „KOČIJE“ pjesmom poje:„DJECA SU NAM KAO RUŽE“!

When the strings have had their say,every chord its charm discloses,and Kočije sing and play:“Our Children Are Like Roses”!

Alaj volim pjesmu pravu,do koje mi puno stalo.„KOČIJE“ nam to pjevaju:„EJ ŽIVOTE STANI MALO“!

How I love a proper song,one I'd walk for many a mile!That's what Kočije sing for us:“Hey, Life, Stand Still for a While!”

A „KOČIJE“ kad svirajudivni program što imaju.Svojim radom Slavonijom,slušateljstvu radost daju.

And when Kočije's strings resound,and their lovely songs abound,through Slavonia, with their work,they bring joy to all around.

Valpovo, 11.11.2014.

Valpovo, November 11, 2014

Translator's note. Kočije (“Carriages”) is a tamburica band from Nard, near Valpovo; the quoted lines are titles of songs they play. St Martin's Day, 11 November, when the new wine is first drunk, is also the date of the poem.