Bećarac
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bećarac (plural: Bećarci) is a humorous form of folk songs originating in rural Slavonia, eventually spread across Croatia and into Vojvodina. The root of the word comes from bećar (<hun. betyár), meaning "bachelor", "reveler" or "carouser". Bećarci are always teasing, mocking and/or lascive; they're sung by a male company at village parties.
Bećarac has a strict form of couplet in decasyllable, always sung with the same music, played by a tamburitza orchestra or just by the choir. The first verse is sung by the choir leader and forms a logical thesis; it is repeated by the choir of gathered men. The second verse is a humorous antithesis, also repeated by the choir (but often broken by laughter). Bećarci are usually performed at the peak of a party, after a crowd is sufficiently warmed up by wine and music. A series of bećarci can last indefinitely. The lyrics are often made up at the spot or improvized, and the best ones are spread and reused for later parties.
