"Am cartofi, dar n-am ulei, Asta-i viața, n-ai ce-i fei (faci), Am ulei, dar n-am cartofi, Asta-i viața, n-ai ce-i scoti (faci)."
The song often includes playful stanzas about family life, money, and "haz de necaz" (making light of a bad situation). Common variations include: Am cartofi dar n-am ulei
Improvisations based on the current audience or setting, as is traditional for lăutari (folk musicians). "Am cartofi, dar n-am ulei, Asta-i viața, n-ai
"" is a popular traditional Romanian song, often associated with Taraf de Caliu and Viorica de la Clejani . The lyrics are a humorous take on daily life and resourceful cooking. The lyrics typically follow this structure: dar n-am ulei
You can watch the most famous live performances by the Taraf de Caliu on YouTube or see various remakes on TikTok .