“Krásna Ameríka” is one of the most iconic waltz songs to come out of the Czech subculture within Texas. It was first performed by the Joe Patek Orchestra in the 1940s. The original recording of this song was made by Martin, an independent label located in San Antonio. Later versions of the song were issued by various independent labels in Texas, such as Humming Bird out of Waco, Texas. “Krásna Ameríka” was later performed by other groups, such as Adolf Hofner and the Pearl Wranglers, with their version being even more rooted in swing music. This tune was so well-known in Czech culture that it was later included on a German compilation of Texan Czech music in 1994, titled Texas Bohemia.
“Krásna Ameríka” casts a Utopian view of the United States into the listener’s mind (granted you are fluent in Czech) as it describes an America with “beer flow[ing] onto the floor”, hens laying eggs “as big as caps”, among other exaggerated statements. This extreme viewpoint of the “American Way” could be attributed to the commonly held belief that “everything’s bigger in Texas” (or perhaps it predicted such an ideology). In addition, the optimistic and prideful tone of the song makes sense considering that “Krásna Ameríka” was initially released in the late 1940s, right after World War II and the associated wartime prosperity. The Patek family’s heritage could have also played a large role in song’s portrayal of America: Joe Patek’s parents were from Czechoslovakia, which at the time was part of the unstable Austro-Hungarian empire. It is rather likely that the Patek family came to the United States seeking opportunity, like many Europeans of the time. Considering the United States’ prosperity at the time, it’s likely that the Pateks viewed the nation as their Utopia.
Although “Krásna Ameríka” was recorded in the 40s, the orchestra had existed far earlier, starting with Czech immigrant John Patek (Joe Patek’s father), who formed the Patek Band of Shriner in the 1920s. In the 1930s, Jim Patek (John’s eldest son) took over as band leader and led the group through the Great Depression. Eventually, Joe Patek found his way into the role of band leader in the 1940s, and with his leadership the Orchestra exploded in popularity. It got to a point where they would be booked for events every weekend spanning as far as a year ahead of the present. On top of this busy schedule, the Joe Patek Orchestra also partook in their own hour-long Sunday show hosted on local radio station KCTI. The Orchestra was clearly well-embedded into the culture of Texas, playing shows all over the Lone Star state. They continued to prosper far past the 40s and 50s, with their last show before retirement being for the annual Shriner Fireman’s New Year’s Eve Dance in 1982. The radio show the band first hosted in the 1950s remained as a staple of Texan radio until 1985 using prerecorded music. Joe Patek himself passed away in 1987, only a few years after his Orchestra’s retirement, which illustrates the true dedication he had to music until the end. The band’s tendency to be found “wherever a social function was”, as well as its extensive recording career, meant that they truly left a permanent mark on Texas history as one of its most popular Czech groups. The Texas Polka Music Association honored him posthumously in 1991 as having an impact on the development of unique Texan polka music, and the Houston Institute for Culture has inducted him into the Texas Music Hall of Fame.
Czech Lyrics:
Krásna, to je krásna, to je krásna Ameríka,
v Ameríce to je bláze,
tam teče pívo po podlaze,
Krásna, to je krásna, to je krásna Ameríka,
Proto se všichni sejdeme,
do Ameríky pojedeme,
Krásna, to je krásna, to je krásna Ameríka,
Krásna, to je krásna, to je krásna Ameríka,
v Ameríce su slepíce,
tý nesu vejce ják čepíce,
Krásna, to je krásna, to je krásna Ameríka,
Proto se všichni sejdeme,
do Ameríky pojedeme,
Krásna, to je krásna, to je krásna Ameríka,
Krásna, to je krásna, to je krásna Ameríka,
v Ameríce že tam je hej,
tam z pítka teče petrolej,
Krásna, to je krásna, to je krásna Ameríka
Translation:
Beautiful, it is beautiful, it is beautiful America,
in America it is pleasant,
their beer flows onto the floor,
Beautiful, it is beautiful, it is beautiful America,
That is why we will all get together,
we’ll go to America,
Beautiful, it is beautiful, it is beautiful America,
Beautiful, it is beautiful, it is beautiful America,
In America are hens,
they lay eggs as large as caps,
Beautiful, it is beautiful, it is beautiful America,
That is why we will all get together,
we’ll go to America,
Beautiful, it is beautiful, it is beautiful America,
Beautiful, it is beautiful, it is beautiful America,
in America it is fun,
their petroleum flows from the spigot,
Beautiful, it is beautiful, it is beautiful America,
Sources:
“Austria-Hungary.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/place/Austria-Hungary
DeKunder, David. “Patek, Joseph (1907–1987).” TSHA, Texas State Historical Association, www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/patek-joseph
“Lyrics.” Czech Melody Masters – CZECH LYRICS, Czech Melody Masters, www.czechpolka.com/lyrics.html
“Czech Songs in Texas.” Czech Songs in Texas, by Frances A. Barton et al., University of Oklahoma Press, 2021, pp. 122–124
