Niška banja

Niška banja is a Gypsy (Romani) song from the south of Serbia, city of Niš. It is inspired by a part of the city of Niš in which are located baths that have been used from prehistoric times. The most famous singer – performer of the song is Gypsy artist Olivera Katarina. She was a diva in Yugoslavia, famous for the performance of this song in a movie I Even Met Happy Gypsies (Skupljači perja), one of the best movies of black wave cinematography from Yugoslavia.

The lyrics of the song tell about a bohemian life of Gypsies.

Niška banja, topla voda (Nishka)
Za mangupe živa zgoda (je t’aime)
x 2

Em ka lavlam, em kamavla
And’o Niši ka mekav la
x 2

Mi Cigani, meraklije
Ne možemo bez rakije
x 2

Bez rakije šljivovice (shlyivovice)
I bez mlade Cigančice (Tziganchitze)
x 2

Jedan, dva, tri, čet’ri, pet, šest, (chat)
Sedam, osam, devet, deset
x 2

Deset, devet, osam, sedam,
Šest, pet, četi’ri, tri, dva, jedan (shest)

Deset, devet, osam, sedam,
Šest, pet, čet’ri, tri, dva, nula!

Baths of Niš

Baths of Niš, hot water,
Such a lucky occasion for bohemians
x 2

I will get her, I will love her,
And in Niš I will leave her.
x 2

We, Gypsies, bohemians,
Cannot live without brandy
x 2

Without plum brandy
And young Gypsy girl
x 2

One, two, three, four, five, six,
Seven, eight, nine, ten
x 2

Ten, nine, eight, seven,
Six, five, four, three, two, one

Ten, nine, eight, seven,
Six, five, four, three, two, zero!