Za pivarsku zabavu

Be merry, friends, and lively, full of cheer;from Valpovo, your Ivo greets you here!Osječko is the beer folk drink with zest:Croatia's oldest, older than the rest.My dear good people, if you only knewhow many years this brewery's come through!Now, when was it built? I'll tell you when:in sixteen ninety-seven, way back then!In the seventeenth century, all told,in Osijek's Šamačka Street of old,some twenty paces from the Drava's flow,Šeper built the brewery, long ago.When after lunch I've had a hearty bite,I drink a beer, a dark one or a light.But when I'm really driving, live, in gear,then all I ever drink is BAJKER beer.I'm known to be a drinker, good and true,and everywhere ask for ŠEPEROVO brew.Believe me, friends, the living truth is here:I gladly drink my share of ESEKER beer.And now true happiness has come my way:I'm at the brewers' party here today!I've brought my family along with me:like little ducklings, they drink beer with glee.My daughter's come, my son, my wife beside,my daughter-in-law, her sister at her side.And since my family's so large a crew,I bring my kum, and bring his Milka too.

A model son-in-law, a source of pride,I take my wife's mum's picture far and wide.I know the day my wife was born, and thenthe birthdays of her kin, both maids and men.I know who'd love to bed my Mara, butin public here my lips must stay tight shut.I know when Uncle's cow will calve, what's more,who sleeps with Kata, our neighbour next door.I know when Joza goes to Jula's place,for through my yard he runs at such a pace.There now, I've told it all out, plain and clear,just so that I might win the prize this year.So now you know the wish that burns in me:to win a crate of beer, or two, or three!And so, each evening, may it come to passthat sweet beer flows from Osijek to our glass.Good luck to Osijek, to that city fair,and to the brewers in their labour there.May strikes be something they will never know,and may no money crisis lay them low.May all their coffers overflow each day,and frozen bank accounts stay far away.May waiters, trotting briskly, keep on tillthey've filled up to the brim their boss's till.And may there be enough left for them, too:a happy evening, fun for all of you!May all who've gathered here be happy, anddrink Osječko with relish, glass in hand.For Osječko's the finest of the beers:so says your poet, Benak Ivo. Cheers!