The song is based on both the Greek: Εις πολλά έτη Eis polla etē ("Many Years to You") and on the Byzantine Rite polychronion (from the Church Slavonic: мъногаꙗ лѣта mŭnogaja lěta) or the hierarchical acclamation Ton Despotin, which is normally sung at the end of church services.
[1] Many variations of the melody are in use, but the lyrics in most cases stay the same (i.e., repeating Mnohaya lita).
[2][3] It remains an integral part of Ukrainian diaspora culture long after assimilation.
The song serves the same function as "Happy Birthday To You" or "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow".
As a secular song, its message is similar to that of the Polish "Sto lat" ("One Hundred Years") and is traditionally sung to a person to express wishes of good health and long life.