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, Asta-i viața, n-ai ce-i fei (faci), Am ulei, dar n-am cartofi, Asta-i viața, n-ai ce-i scoti (faci)." Am cartofi dar n-am ulei
Improvisations based on the current audience or setting, as is traditional for lăutari (folk musicians). The song often includes playful stanzas about family