Over the years, I’ve had plenty of opportunities to hear the Polish happy birthday song – “Sto lat”.
In this post, I will explore the background of the song, when and where it is sung and the song’s lyrics with optional verses and choruses.
Background information about the expression and song “Sto lat”
The literal translation of “Sto lat” is One Hundred Years.
“Sto lat” is such a versatile expression in the Polish language. First of all, it’s commonplace for Poles to say “Sto Lat” when wishing someone a happy birthday. Poles also use the phrase “Sto lat” as an expression to wish good health, good fortune and longevity to a person. It’s often used as a toast (roughly “cheers” in English) and as a way to say “bless you” when someone sneezes.
The song “Sto lat” is also incredibly versatile. In addition to being sung at informal gatherings to wish someone a happy birthday, Poles also sing it to mark other special events. These include name days, award ceremonies, anniversaries, weddings, job promotions, childbirth and patriotic events.
What are the lyrics of “Sto lat”?
Here are the lyrics of the Polish happy birthday song “Sto lat” in both Polish and English.
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!
100 years, 100 years
Long may they live
100 years, 100 years
Long may they live
One more time, one more time
Long may they live
Long may they live
A possible additional verse of “Sto lat”
Niech im gwiazdka pomyślności
nigdy nie zagaśnie
nigdy nie zagaśnie
a w tym nowym, wspólnym życiu
świeci coraz jaśniej,
a w tym nowym, wspólnym życiu
świeci coraz jaśniej!!!
May their star of good fortune
Never go out
Never go out
And in this new life together
It shines even brighter
And in this new life together
It shines even brighter
Another possible additional verse
Niech żyją nam, niech żyją nam
w szczęściu, zdrowiu, pomyślności
niechaj żyją nam
Niech żyją nam, niech żyją nam
w szczęściu, zdrowiu, pomyślności
niechaj żyją nam
Long may they live, long may they live
In health, happiness and good fortune
Long may they live
Long may they live, long may they live
In health, happiness and good fortune
Long may they live
After the repetition of the phrase Niech żyje nam, it’s common for people to shout A kto? (But who?). This is followed by the name of the subject of the celebration.
Other variations of “Sto lat”
An alternative way of singing “Sto lat” for children
Niech Ci gwiazdka pomyślności
Nigdy nie zagaśnie
nigdy nie zagaśnie
A kto z nami nie zaśpiewa
Niech pod stołem zaśnie
A kto z nami nie zaśpiewa
Niech pod stołem zaśnie
May your star of good fortune
Never go out
Never go out
And whoever won’t sing with us
May they fall asleep under the table
And whoever doesn’t sing with us
May they fall asleep under the table
Alternative verses of “Sto lat” for adults
When the alcohol is flowing and everyone is in good spirits, partygoers might belt out a variation of the optional second verse along the following lines:
Variation 1
Niech im gwiazdka pomyślności
Nigdy nie zagaśnie
Nigdy nie zagaśnie
A kto z nami nie wypije
Niech pod stołem zaśnie
A kto z nami nie wypije
Niech pod stołem zaśnie
May their star of good fortune
Never go out
Never go out
And whoever won’t get drunk with us
May they fall asleep under the table
And whoever won’t get drunk with us
May they fall asleep under the table
Variation 2
Niech im gwiazdka pomyślności
Nigdy nie zagaśnie
Nigdy nie zagaśnie
A kto z nami nie wypije
Niech go piorun trzaśnie
A kto z nami nie wypije
Niech go piorun trzaśnie
May their star of good fortune
Never go out
Never go out
And whoever won’t get drunk with us
May they be struck by lightning
And whoever won’t get drunk with us
May they be struck by lightning
Variation 3
Niech im gwiazdka pomyślności
Nigdy nie zagaśnie
Nigdy nie zagaśnie
A kto z nami nie wypije
niech się pod stół skryje
A kto z nami nie wypije
niech się pod stół skryje
May their star of good fortune
Never go out
Never go out
And whoever won’t get drunk with us
May they hide under the table
And whoever won’t get drunk with us
May they hide under the table
The mysterious origins and many variations of the song “Sto lat”
Summing up, it’s not known who the author(s) of the words and melody of the Polish happy birthday song “Sto lat” were.
The mystery surrounding the song might explain why there’s a great deal of flexibility when it comes to the lyrics.