Every hour, in the heart of the city center, the bells of city hall play the folk tune, "Kecskemét is kiállítja." This folk song is a "verbunk" or "recruitment song." The text invites the young men of Kecskemét to join the military, specifically for the Hungarian revolution of 1848 against the Hapsburg monarchy. During this time, recruitment was a celebration and exhibition of those who were brave enough to join the military and was accompanied with music and dancing. Nowadays, "verbunk" music is its own category in the large collection of Hungarian folk song.
First verse:
Kecskemét is kiállítja nyalka verbunkját,
Csárda előtt ki is tűzi veres zászlaját.
Gyertek ide fiatalok, tessék beállni,
Nyolc esztendő nem a világ, lehet próbálni.
Translation of the meaning of the text:
Kecskemét is proud to show off its recruitment
Fire-red flags are waving in front of the taverns
Come, young men, please line up
Eight years is not the world, give it a try.
