He was born in Ostrava, Czech Republic and has played guitar since he was 13. He began studies at the Technical University of Ostrava but eventually left the school. He tried various jobs and eventually ended up working as a freelance lyricist. He gained fame with his first song for Marie Rottrová, Lásko, voníš deštěm (You Smell of Rain, My Love) - it was a remake of Black Sabbath 's ballad "She's Gone". He lives in Ostrava, has a wife and two children.
In 1982 he started performing in public, a sound decision in that a number of his songs gained wide popularity. His first album, Darmoděj (Aimless), released in 1988 was an immediate sell-out. An aura of myth arose around Nohavica which survived even the crisis period of his treatment for alcoholism. His subsequent release of the lovely, slightly pessimistic Mikymauzoleum (Mickey Mousoleum), an album of mainly melancholy songs. In 1994 he live recorded an album Tři čuníci (Three Piglets), intended for children, with humoristic songs.
In 1996 Nohavica released Divné století (Strange Century). He and his producer employed new instruments and voices for the new songs on the album, and it became a huge success. Two years later Jaromír Nohavica and Kapela (ie. the Band) came out with Koncert (Concert), a record featuring Nohavica playing with a band, and this fact recognizably changed his music. The album contains mainly older material, but the new treatment gave it a new appeal. His studio album from 2000, Moje smutné srdce (My Sad Heart), contains mostly sad songs about love.
Nohavica also starred in Petr Zelenka's movie Rok Ďábla (Year of The Devil), which was awarded the main prize at the 37th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2002 and several other international film festivals.
Apart from his native Czech Republic, he also enjoys some popularity in neighbouring Poland and Slovakia.
He has just released a brand new CD called Ikarus which was recorded during his January's sets of concerts in Ostrava.
Až to se mnu sekne
Jaromír Nohavica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
1. Až obuju si rano černe papirove boty,
C G C
až i moja stara pochopi, že nejdu do roboty,
Dmi
až vyjde dluhy pruvod smutečnich hostu
Ami
na Slezsku Ostravu od Sikorova mostu,
až to se mnu sekne, to bude pěkne,
F Ami E7 Ami
pěkne, fajne a pěkne, až to se mnu definitivně sekne.
2. Aby všeckym bylo jasne, že mě lidi měli radi,
ať je gulaš silny, baby smutne, muzika ať ladi,
bo jak sem nesnašel šledryjan ve vyrobě,
nebudu ho trpěť, ani co sem v hrobě,
to bude pěkne,
pěkne, fajne a pěkne, až to se mnu definitivně sekne.
3. S někerym to seka, že až neviš, co se robi,
jestli pomohla by deka nebo teplo mlade roby,
kdybych si moh' vybrat, chtěl bych hned a honem,
ať to se mnu šlahne tajak se starym Magdonem,
to bude pěkne,
pěkne, fajne a pěkne, až to se mnu definitivně sekne.
4. Jedine, co nevim: jestli Startku nebo Spartu,
bo bych tam nahoře v nebi nerad trhal partu,
na každy pad s sebu beru bandasku s rumem,
bo rum nemuže uškodit, když pije se s rozumem,
to bude pěkne,
pěkne, fajne a pěkne, až to se mnu definitivně sekne.
5. Já vím, že, Bože, nejsi, ale kdybys třeba byl, tak
hoď mě na cimru, kde leži stary Lojza Miltag,
s Lojzu chodili sme do Orlove na zakladni školu,
farali sme dolu, tak už doklepem to spolu,
až to se mnu sekne,
pěkne, to bude pěkne, až to se mnu definitivně sekne.
6. Až obuju si rano černe papirove boty,
až i moja stara pochopi, že nejdu do roboty,
kdybych, co chtěl, dělal, všechno malo platne,
mohlo to byt horši, nebylo to špatne,
až to se mnu sekne,
F
kdybych, co chtěl, dělal, všechno malo platne,
Ami E7
mohlo to byt horši, nebylo to špatne,
F Ami E7 Ami F Ami E7 Ami
až to se mnu ... na na na ...
The lyrics of the song "Až to se mnu sekne" by Jaromír Nohavica describe the singer's acceptance of his own mortality and desire for a peaceful passing. The opening lines detail the singer's choice of wearing black shoes, and how their family will understand that he's not going to work, but rather to his own funeral. The song then goes on to talk about the singer's wishes for his funeral, including the presence of mourners, good food, strong goulash, and well-played music. He tells of how he despises a former colleague and how he won't tolerate their presence in his funeral.
The next verse describes the singer's confusion about how to handle a difficult situation, perhaps a period of illness or pain, and wishes for a quick and effortless death. He also mentions the bandolier with rum that he always carries with him and hopes to use it to buy his way into heaven as he can't decide whether he should root for START or SPARTA if he were still alive. In the fifth verse, the singer describes his wish to be placed next to a childhood friend on his death, reminiscing about their shared experiences growing up. The song ends with a final statement about making the best of life, acknowledging the limitations of one's choices, and understanding that ultimately, death is inevitable.
The lyrics of the song depict a realistic and existentialist outlook, encouraging the listener to embrace life and death with dignified acceptance. The composition gained popularity in 1993 after being released as a single and remains a staple of Nohavica's repertoire. The song has since become known as one of the most renowned songs inspired by the turmoil of the post-communist Czech Republic.
Line by Line Meaning
Až obuju si rano černe papirove boty,
When I put on my black paper shoes in the morning,
až i moja stara pochopi, že nejdu do roboty,
when my mom realizes I'm not going to work,
až vyjde dluhy pruvod smutečnich hostu na Slezsku Ostravu od Sikorova mostu,
when a long procession of mourners comes out from Sikor's bridge in Silesian Ostrava,
až to se mnu sekne, to bude pěkne, pěkne, fajne a pěkne, až to se mnu definitivně sekne.
when it finally happens to me, it will be nice, really nice and beautiful.
Aby všeckym bylo jasne, že mě lidi měli radi,
So that everyone will know that people loved me,
ať je gulaš silny, baby smutne, muzika ať ladi,
let there be strong goulash, sad women, and music playing,
bo jak sem nesnašel šledryjan ve vyrobě,
because I hated that guy at work,
nebudu ho trpěť, ani co sem v hrobě,
I won't tolerate him, even in my grave.
to bude pěkne, pěkne, fajne a pěkne, až to se mnu definitivně sekne.
It will be nice, really nice and beautiful when it finally happens to me.
S někerym to seka, že až neviš, co se robi,
Sometimes things are so bad, you don't know what to do,
jestli pomohla by deka nebo teplo mlade roby,
whether a blanket or the warmth of young love could help,
kdybych si moh' vybrat, chtěl bych hned a honem, ať to se mnu šlahne tajak se starym Magdonem,
If I could choose, I would want to be struck down like old Magdon.
to bude pěkne, pěkne, fajne a pěkne, až to se mnu definitivně sekne.
It will be nice, really nice and beautiful when it finally happens to me.
Jedine, co nevim: jestli Startku nebo Spartu,
The only thing I don't know is if I prefer Startka or Sparta,
bo bych tam nahoře v nebi nerad trhal partu,
because I wouldn't want to cause trouble up in heaven,
na každy pad s sebu beru bandasku s rumem,
I always bring a flask of rum for every occasion,
bo rum nemuže uškodit, když pije se s rozumem,
because rum can't hurt you if you drink it sensibly,
to bude pěkne, pěkne, fajne a pěkne, až to se mnu definitivně sekne.
It will be nice, really nice and beautiful when it finally happens to me.
Já vím, že, Bože, nejsi, ale kdybys třeba byl, tak
I know, God, that you're not there, but if you were,
hoď mě na cimru, kde leži stary Lojza Miltag,
put me in a grave where old Lojza Miltag lies,
s Lojzu chodili sme do Orlove na zakladni školu,
Lojza and I went to elementary school together in Orlova,
farali sme dolu, tak už doklepem to spolu, až to se mnu sekne,
we hung out a lot, so let's finish this together when it finally happens to me.
pěkne, to bude pěkne, až to se mnu definitivně sekne.
It will be nice, really nice and beautiful when it finally happens to me.
Až obuju si rano černe papirove boty,
When I put on my black paper shoes in the morning,
až i moja stara pochopi, že nejdu do roboty,
when my mom realizes I'm not going to work,
kdybych, co chtěl, dělal, všechno malo platne,
If I did what I wanted, it would all be for nothing,
mohlo to byt horši, nebylo to špatne,
It could have been worse, but it wasn't bad,
až to se mnu sekne, kdybych, co chtěl, dělal, všechno malo platne,
when it finally happens to me, if I did what I wanted, it would all be for nothing,
mohlo to byt horši, nebylo to špatne, až to se mnu...
It could have been worse, but it wasn't bad when it finally happens to me...
Contributed by Colton T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@carlosr.3978
Můj taťka tuhle písničku miloval, byla jeho poslední na pohřbu a vždycky když ji slyším tak to chce panáka..
@misomotoska-td3xu
CARLOS . No to je dobre že môj oťec jú môže počuvať aj teras to je jeho naj hudba 💯👌👌👍👍🙂🤔
@lukaspotysz3817
Fuu procitene!
@dalacgames
mam to stejny
@Sara-ei1ie
Drž sa🫶🏻
@winckotv8289
Táto pesnička je nádherná ako každá jedna od neho
@danalackova4264
Som Slovenka a strašne rada Vás počúvam vaše pesničky
@MsDodyx
Takú krásnu pesničku o smrti už nikto nikdy nenaspieva
@damianh7979
Piękne, nostalgiczne, trafne. Pozdrowienia z Polski dla Czeskich sąsiadów.
@vierabotkova1468
Vždy keď počúvam jeho pesničky,jeho perfektné texty,ako až to se mnú sekne jako se starým Magdonem,žasnem,ako mu to vobec príde na rozum.Keď ich počúvam,všetko sa mi premieta ako film,dá sa to počúvať stále dookola.Je perfektný.