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.
Sestřičko ze špitálu
Jaromír Nohavica Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Píšu vám dopis plný něhy a lásky
Vzpomínka nevybledla ach můj ty bože
Když jste si ke mně sedla na okraj lože
Mé srdce kvapem cválá je to jak včera
Když jste mi podávala léčivá séra
Morčeti na pokusy je značně lépe
Pod lemem vaší sukně spatřil jsem málo
Však stačilo to k tomu aby se špatně spalo
Léky a medicína od vrchnej sestry
A s vami moja draha a s vami ach draha
Som vo sne ja somar hrál celů noc
Tenis a prehrál jsem na gemy šest tri jé
The first stanza of Jaromír Nohavica's "Sestřicko ze špitálu" song talks about a nurse with long hair who the singer is writing a loving and affectionate letter to. The memory of her has not faded, and he vividly recalls the moment when she sat beside his bed in the hospital. The feeling of his heart racing is just like it was yesterday, recalling how she gave him healing serum when he needed it the most. He compares feeling as though he was tested on like a guinea pig with being in a better place with this woman by his side.
The second stanza mentions that the singer didn't see much under the edge of her dress, but it was enough to make it difficult to sleep. He makes a reference to medication and medicine that he got from the senior nurse and from her personal affection, which helped him in his difficult times. He uses the phrase "som vo sne ja somar" which is a Slovak phrase for feeling like he is in a dreamlike state, where he played a donkey in a theatrical production and lost the game of tennis six to three.
Overall, the song is a melancholic yet touching tribute to a nurse who provided personal and physical care to the singer while he was hospitalized. The lyrics express his gratitude to her while also reminiscing on the moments they shared together.
Line by Line Meaning
Sestřičko ze špitálu s dlouhými vlásky
I am writing to you, dear nurse from the hospital, with long hair.
Píšu vám dopis plný něhy a lásky
I am writing a letter to you filled with tenderness and love.
Vzpomínka nevybledla ach můj ty bože
The memory of you has not faded away, oh my god!
Když jste si ke mně sedla na okraj lože
When you sat beside me on the edge of the bed.
Mé srdce kvapem cválá je to jak včera
My heart beats fast, as if it were yesterday.
Když jste mi podávala léčivá séra
When you gave me healing serum.
Morčeti na pokusy je značně lépe
It's much better for guinea pigs to be used in experiments.
Když na to vzpomenu si srdce mi tepe jé
When I remember that, my heart beats faster.
Pod lemem vaší sukně spatřil jsem málo
I saw very little under the hem of your skirt.
Však stačilo to k tomu aby se špatně spalo
But that was enough to make it hard to sleep.
Léky a medicína od vrchné sestry
Drugs and medicine from the head nurse.
A s vami moja draha a s vami ach draha
And with you, my dear, and with you, oh dear.
Som vo sne ja somar hrál celů noc
I played tennis all night in my dreams like a donkey.
Tenis a prehrál jsem na gemy šest tri jé
I lost in tennis six-three in games.
Contributed by Allison E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.