Contents
* 1 Biography
* 2 Organizatonal, propagatory and charitable activity
* 3 Concerts and International Cooperation
* 4 Awards and Prizes
* 5 Discography
* 6 External Links
Biography
Banana Boat evolved from a multi-member formation Jack Steward, founded by Maciej Jędrzejko and functioning in the years 1993-1994. The line-up of the formation was composed of maritime culture aficionados - high-school students from the city of Sosnowiec, mainly representing the Stanisław Staszic Grammar School in Sosnowiec, the Emilia Plater Grammar School in Sosnowiec, and the Technical High School of Mechanical and Steel Industry in Sosnowiec. The central idea behind the singing youth's efforts was to organize a sailing expedition, whose objective was to circumnavigate Iceland. The musical project itself was intended to encourage teachers to take interest in the richness of maritime culture as a vast educational resource and - with their help - to gain the support of the municipal and (then still budding) corporate sponsorship for the idea of the expedition. Even though the Iceland project never came to pass, and Jack Steward eventually ceased to exist in 1994, Maciej Jędrzejko invited Paweł Konieczny, Aleksander Kleszcz and Karol Wierzbicki of the ex-Jack Steward's line-up to help form a new group, which, since 1994, already as an a cappella quartet, adopted the name of Banana Boat. Thus formed, Banana Boat made its debut on the stage of the 1994 Tratwa Festival in Katowice and, subsequently, gained its early recognition by winning (among others) the Commander Zbyszek Sowiński Award (Tratwa'94), the Main Prize of the 1994 edition of the Prosiak Festival and, importantly, an honorary mention of the jury of the 1996 edition of the prestigeous Shanties Festival in Cracow, Poland.
In the years 1996-1998, the group - whose members, by then, had commenced their university education - suspended its activity, only to return to the maritime stages of Poland by the end of 1998. At this stage, Banana Boat made its name as an a cappella quintet, which - reinforced by the former bass singer of the famous Polish group North Cape, Piotr "Qdyś" Wiśniewski - transformed into the present-day sextet at the turn of 2008 and 2009.
Today, Banana Boat consists of the following musicians:
* Maciej "YenJCo." Jędrzejko, the group's founder, frontman and leader;
* Paweł "Konik" Konieczny, the formation's co-founder, composer and high tenor;
* Paweł "Synchro" Jędrzejko, the author of the majority of the band's original lyrics and performer of bari-tenor parts;
* Tomasz "Mundry" Czarny, the Banana Boat's arranger, composer and bari-tenor;
* Michał "Ociec" Maniara, the manager of the Art Agency BananaArt.Pl Art and performer of baritone parts;
* Piotr "Qdyś" Wiśniewski, the group's bass singer.
The present-day Banana Boat members are active yachtsmen: Paweł Jędrzejko (formerly a professional navigator), holds an ocean-going yachtmaster's licence; his younger brother Maciej, the group's founder, is an ocean skipper, while other Banana Boat members all hold offshore licenses, which largely contributes to the positive reception of the Banana Boat songs. Professionally, the Banana Boat musicians represent such disciplines as medicine and dentistry, banking and law, trade and academic literary and culture studies. Since 1998, the group has been awarded the most important prizes of the Polish festivals of maritime music, recorded two albums and participated in numerous collective projects. Currently, Banana Boat gives concerts and recitals in Europe and outside of it, performing both for the audiences of small-audience clubs and those of large international festivals.
Organizatonal, propagatory and charitable activity
* In the years 2002-2007 Banana Boat, working in collaboration with the Municipal Cultural Center in Łaziska Górne (Poland), acted as the organizer of the International Festival of Seasong and Shanty "Zęza";
* In 2006, the groups participated in an all-Polish charity project To See the Sea, the proceeds from which supported the medical treatment of Polish shantymen in need;
* In 2008, Maciej Jędrzejko, the group's leader, was appointed as the artistic director of the International Festival World Music Fusion - Euroszanty & Folk in Sosnowiec (Poland);
* Every year, Banana Boat participates in the charity events of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity;
* Maciej Jędrzejko is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the "Free Sea-Shanty Portal Szantymaniak.Pl" and of the "Szantymaniak Magazine" (in Polish);
* Every year, individual members of the group are appointed as jurors of sea-song festivals; they reqularly offer workshops to other musicians of the Polish maritime stage and sea-song fans.
Concerts and International Cooperation
Apart from numerous concerts in Poland, to-date, Banana Boat has performed in the Czech Republic (Fulnek 2002), in Italy (Ravenna 2003), in France (Paimpol 2005, Chateau-Thierry 2007), in Ireland (Cork/Cobh 2005, 2006), in the United States (New York 2005), in the Netherlands (Appingedam 2006) and in Germany (Bremen-Vegesack 2008). As a member of ISSA, the group collaborates with international artists associated within the organization. In 2008, songs by Banana Boat were published on albums of a collective charity project Lafitte's Return (USA). Banana Boat's music is has been broadcast by numerous radio stations in Europe and beyond. Recently, the group has launched its newest single "A Little A Cappella: Polish-Irish Harmony" - the result of a joint project with Eleanor McEvoy, an eminent Irish singer and songwriter. The single contains two songs: "Little Look" (lyrics and composition - Eleanor McEvoy; arrangement - Tomasz Czarny) and "Ukraina" (lyrics and music by Tymko Padurra; arrangement - Adam R. Saczka, co-arrangement Tomasz Czarny and Mateusz Dyszkiewicz).
Awards and Prizes
Apart from numerous Grand Prix awards, First Prizes and Audience's Favorite's Prizes awarded by the panels and attendees of all of the most important maritime music festivals in Poland, Banana Boat has become a double first runner-up for the CARA Award of the Contemporary A Cappella Society of America in the categories of The Best World/Folk Album 2005 (for the album A morze tak, a może nie...) and The Best World/Folk Song 2005 (for the song "Arktyka" of the mentioned album).
Discography
* A morze tak, a może nie (BananaArt.Pl 2004)
* Minialbum: Banana Boat...Świątecznie (BananaArt.Pl 2004), (six Christmas carrols)
* Songs in collection Szanty dla Pajacyka, the proceeds of which support Polish Humanitarian Organisation (2004).
* Songs in charity collections Lafitte's Return (vols. 3 and 4), of which the total proceeds support the musical education of the post-Katrina New Orleans (2008)
* Single "A Little A Cappella: Polish-Irish Harmony" (BananaArt.Pl 2009)
External Links
* the Official Website of the Banana Boat
* Banana Boat in MySpace
* Banana Boat in Acapedia
Arktyka
Banana Boat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dotąd znałem Cię tylko ze zdjęć.
Błękit i granat podkreślają jasną twarz,
Dziś przybywam, aby oddać Ci cześć.
Lecz cudna Pani Północy, dziś Ci odmawiam daniny:
Tobie, przepięknej i groźnej składam swoje oświadczyny.
Biały jak welon cumulus słońce ozdobi swą nitką
O Tobie pieśni śpiewa cały morski świat
Marząc o tym, by Cię zdobyć i mieć.
Ja pragnę tylko być zechciała dla mnie grać
Piękną pannę zakochaną na śmierć!
Więc cudna Pani Północy, dziś Ci odmawiam daniny:
Tobie, przepięknej i groźnej składam swoje oświadczyny.
Biały jak welon cumulus słońce ozdobi swą nitką
Ja zakochany do bólu, pragnę Ciebie Arktyko...
Krawat odświętny związał ślubną żagli biel,
W butonierkę kluzy różę wpiął świt.
Udaj Arktyko, że wyznaczasz dla mnie cel,
Że mnie kochasz jak nie kochał mnie nikt.
Więc cudna Pani Północy, dziś Ci odmawiam daniny:
Tobie, przepięknej i groźnej składam swoje oświadczyny.
Biały jak welon cumulus słońce ozdobi swą nitką
Ja zakochany do bólu, pragnę Ciebie Arktyko...
Tobie - nie trzeba pustych słów
Tobie - zawdzięczam treść mych snów
Tobie - zaiskrzył śniegu blask
Tobie - poświęcam czas...
Pani Arktyko, Ty nie umiesz jednak grać
Już nad czołem Twym gęstnieje zły sztorm...
Romans jak nasz nie może przecież długo trwać,
Więc Cię żegnam i żegluję na Horn!
Lecz jednak Pani Północy, choć Ci odmawiam daniny
Tobie, przepięknej i groźnej składam swoje oświadczyny.
Biały jak welon cumulus słońce ozdobi swą nitką
Ja zakochany do bólu, pragnę Ciebie Arktyko...
Zrywam zaręczyny...
Zrywam zaręczyny...
Zrywam zaręczyny...
Zrywam zaręczyny...
The lyrics to Banana Boat's song "Arktyka" speak of the beauty and allure of the Arctic regions. The singer describes the North as more beautiful than even his wildest dreams, although he had only ever seen it in photographs. He praises the bright blue and navy colors that contrast against the clear face of the beautiful North. In the lyrics, he admits to admiring her beauty and stating his love for the North, saying that he is there to pay tribute to her. The singer goes on to further express his love for the region, calling it a dream destination and saying that he wishes to be with the North.
One interesting aspect of the song is the use of the feminine pronoun to refer to the Arctic. The North is personified as a beautiful woman that the singer is deeply in love with. The lyrics also mention the sea and its desire to conquer her. The use of sea-related imagery and language is a common theme in sea shanties and other nautical-themed music.
As for the song's history and origin, "Arktyka" was released on Banana Boat's album "Wakacje w Meksyku" in 1986. Banana Boat was a popular Polish rock band in the 1980s and early 1990s. The song's lyrics were written by Janusz Kondratowicz, while the music was composed by Krzysztof Pacholski. Despite being a popular song, there isn't much information available about the inspiration behind the song, or the meaning behind the lyrics.
Overall, "Arktyka" tells a story of a man's love for the Arctic, describing the North as a beautiful and wondrous place that he desires to be with. The song remains popular in Poland to this day, with its unique and poetic lyrics and catchy melody capturing the hearts of many.
Chords:
Unfortunately, we could not find the chords for "Arktyka" by Banana Boat.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesteś piękniejsza, niż w najśmielszych moich snach
You are more beautiful than in my wildest dreams.
Dotąd znałem Cię tylko ze zdjęć.
Until now, I only knew you from pictures.
Błękit i granat podkreślają jasną twarz,
Blue and navy accentuate your fair face.
Dziś przybywam, aby oddać Ci cześć.
Today I come to pay my respects to you.
Lecz cudna Pani Północy, dziś Ci odmawiam daniny:
But, lovely Lady of the North, today I refuse to pay tribute to you:
Tobie, przepięknej i groźnej składam swoje oświadczyny.
To you, beautiful and dangerous, I declare my love.
Biały jak welon cumulus słońce ozdobi swą nitką
The sun will adorn its thread white as a veil of cumulus.
Ja zakochany do bólu, pragnę Ciebie Arktyko...
I, hopelessly in love, long for you, Arctic...
O Tobie pieśni śpiewa cały morski świat
The entire sea world sings songs about you,
Marząc o tym, by Cię zdobyć i mieć.
Dreaming of winning you and keeping you.
Ja pragnę tylko być zechciała dla mnie grać
I only wish for you to want to play for me,
Piękną pannę zakochaną na śmierć!
A beautiful lady in love to death!
Krawat odświętny związał ślubną żagli biel,
A festive tie bound the white sails of the wedding ship,
W butonierkę kluzy różę wpiął świt.
Dawn pinned a rose to his lapel.
Udaj Arktyko, że wyznaczasz dla mnie cel,
Pretend, Arctic, that you designate a goal for me,
Że mnie kochasz jak nie kochał mnie nikt.
That you love me like nobody ever has.
Tobie - nie trzeba pustych słów
To you - empty words are unnecessary,
Tobie - zawdzięczam treść mych snów
To you, I owe the content of my dreams,
Tobie - zaiskrzył śniegu blask
To you, the light of the snow sparkled,
Tobie - poświęcam czas...
To you, I devote time...
Pani Arktyko, Ty nie umiesz jednak grać
Lady Arctic, however, you cannot play
Już nad czołem Twym gęstnieje zły sztorm...
An evil storm is already thickening above your forehead...
Romans jak nasz nie może przecież długo trwać,
'Cause a romance like ours cannot last long,
Więc Cię żegnam i żegluję na Horn!
So I bid you farewell and sail around Cape Horn!
Lecz jednak Pani Północy, choć Ci odmawiam daniny
Nevertheless, Lady of the North, although I refuse to pay tribute to you,
Tobie, przepięknej i groźnej składam swoje oświadczyny.
To you, beautiful and dangerous, I still confess my love.
Zrywam zaręczyny...
I break off the engagement...
Zrywam zaręczyny...
I break off the engagement...
Zrywam zaręczyny...
I break off the engagement...
Zrywam zaręczyny...
I break off the engagement...
Contributed by Sophie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.