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 improvised, and the best ones are spread and reused for later parties.
