Despite all of this it is difficult to state categorically where certain popular melodies originated — as José Luis Ansorena says, "no language can brag that it has not been influenced by another; there is no songbook in the world which can boast absolute autonomy".
I hummed Agur Jaunak to him, telling him that it was a Basque song and he told me that it was indeed the same.Antonio Peña y Goñi, a celebrated composer, musicologist and music and bullfighting critic and the founder of the Orfeón Donostiarra (San Sebastian concert choir), explained the origin of this song in a conference which was held in 1898 at the Madrid Press Association: The Gipuzkoan Manuel Lecuona was a renowned pelota player and outstanding singer of bertso and guitarist, who divided his time between playing pelota and singing.
After winning a match against a team of Frenchmen, a valiant young boy approached the victors and sang this song, which Urchalle (that was his nickname at the time) went on to incorporate into his repertoire, having understood that it was about requesting or offering a rematch.Agur, jaunak, jaunak, agur, agur t´erdi.
"Jaunak" in the context of the song means gentlemen, sirs, people of certain social stature, someone who deserves certain courtesy.
When you are appreciated a lot or you are held in great esteem or profound respect one says "Agur t´erdi" — with a strange translation of "hello/goodbye 'and a half'" — which in the Basque Country is one of the highest greetings.