The variants of the song analyzed in this paper have persisted in Hungarian popular
poetry (manuscript songbooks) and folklore from the 1710s to the present day. The
song, composed after the fall of Ferenc Rákóczi II’s War of Independence (1703–1711),
expresses the grievances of soldiers regarding public order. Despite their heroism
and victories, they were not appropriately honored by their noble officers, which
facilitated the Habsburgs’ ability to suppress the revolt. Nearly all variants of
the song criticize the arrogant Hungarian nobility for their delusions. Later versions
of the song transcend the Kuruc era, addressing soldiers’ experiences more broadly
across different historical periods. It was sung by Hungarian soldiers fighting against
Napoleon and other adversaries, as well as in the context of conflicts with outlaws.
Starting in the mid-19 th century, the rise of “Kuruc romanticism” imbued this popular
song type with renewed significance, leading new written versions to be perceived
by the public as “original.” The Tyukodi Song ( Te vagy a legény, Tyukodi pajtás –
‘You are the guy, our pal Tyukodi’) stands as one of the most renowned examples. It
can be regarded both as an authentic relic and as a counterfeit, reflecting its dual
role in Hungary’s cultural memory.