Sto lat

Sto lat (One Hundred Years) is a traditional Polish song that is sung to express good wishes, good health and long life to a person. It is also a common way of wishing someone a happy birthday in Polish. Sto lat is used in many birthdays and on international day of language.

For the fictional town created by Terry Pratchett, see Discworld (world) § Sto Lat.

The song's author and exact origin are unattributed. The song is sung both at informal gatherings (such as birthdays or name days) or at formal events, such as weddings. Frequently, the song "Niech im gwiazdka pomyślności" will be sung afterwards, excluding kids' parties, as the song makes reference to alcohol consumption. At state events it is not unusual to hear it performed by an orchestra or a military band. It is also noted for being an integral part of Polish immigrant culture even long after assimilation.

Similar songs

The song serves the equivalent function of "Happy Birthday to You" or "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow".

Lyrics
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!

This translates roughly into English as:

100 years, 100 years,
May they live!
100 years, 100 years,
May they live!
Once again, once again,
May they live!
May they live!

And of the few variations of the optional second verse, the most common one is as follows:

Niech im gwiazdka pomyślności
Nigdy nie zagaśnie!
Nigdy nie zagaśnie!
A kto z nami nie zaśpiewa,
Niech pod stołem zaśnie!
Niech pod stołem zaśnie!

Which roughly translates to:

May their star of prosperity
Never extinguish!
Never extinguish!
And whoever won't sing with us
May they sleep under the table!
May they sleep under the table!

Use as a phrase

The phrase "Sto lat!" is also often used to wish someone longevity or good fortune, or as a toast, without the song. However, the use of "Sto lat!" in this manner will often lead to the song being sung by those present. The phrase is also sometimes used to acknowledge someone's sneezing – similarly to "God bless you", though for that particular occasion a simple na zdrowie ("To your health") is more frequently used.

In literature, Sto Lat is a fictional city in Terry Pratchett's Discworld Series.

See also
  • Ten thousand years, translation of a phrase used in many East Asian languages to wish leaders long lives

References
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