Kannoneer Jabůrek
Cannoneer Jabůrek (Czech: Kanonýr Jabůrek) is a cantastoria, which mocked war heroism, published in 1884.[1][2] It is one of the most popular parodies to the Czech form of a cantastoria, known as kramářská píseň.[2]
The song is a story of a valiant cannoneer Jabůrek who, as the song says, took part in the battle of Hradec Králové (battle of Sadová) (1866). Even after the enemy's cannonballs tore off his both arms, he continued to load his cannon with bare feet, etc., etc. When his head was torn off, it flew to the general and said: "I am reporting, but sorry I cannot salute". No real event is described in the song, however at the times there were newspaper reports and legends describing various exaggerated heroism.[1][2]
The brave cannoneer is in the centre of the plot of a satirical radio play Jaburek by Austrian playwright Franz Hiesel.[3]
There is a tavern U Kanonýra Jabůrka in Sadová.[3]