Mazurek Dąbrowskiego (Polish pronunciation: [maˈzurɛɡ dɔmbrɔfˈskʲɛɡɔ], “Dąbrowski’s Mazurka”) is the national anthem of Poland. It is also known by its original title, Pieśń Legionów Polskich we Włoszech ([pʲɛɕɲ lɛˈɡʲɔnuf ˈpɔlskiɣ vɛˈvwɔʂɛx], “Song of the Polish Legions in Italy”), or by its incipit, Jeszcze Polska nie zginęła ([ˈjɛʂt͡ʂɛ ˈpɔlska ɲɛzɡiˈnɛwa], “Poland Is Not Yet Lost” or “Poland Has Not Yet Perished”).
The song is a lively mazurka with lyrics penned by Józef Wybicki in Reggio nell’Emilia, Cisalpine Republic (now in Italy), around 16 July 1797, two years after the Third Partition of Poland erased the once vast country from the map. It was originally meant to boost the morale of Polish soldiers serving under General Jan Henryk Dąbrowski in the Polish Legions, which were part of the French Revolutionary Army led by General Napoléon Bonaparte in its conquest of Italy. The mazurka, expressing the idea that the nation of Poland, despite lack of political independence, had not disappeared as long as the Polish people were still alive and fighting in its name, soon became one of the most popular patriotic songs in Poland.
The song’s popularity led to a plethora of variations, sung by Polish patriots on different occasions. It also inspired other peoples struggling for independence during the 19th century. One of the songs strongly influenced by Poland Is Not Yet Lost is Hey Slavs, a former national anthem of Yugoslavia. When Poland re-emerged as an independent state in 1918, Mazurek Dąbrowskiego became its de facto anthem. It was officially adopted as the national anthem of the Republic of Poland in 1926.
Poland National Anthem Lyrics
Poland
Mazurek Dabrowskiego:
———————
Jeszcze Polska nie zginela,
Kiedy my zyjemy.
Co nam obca przemoc wziela,
Szabla odbierzemy.
CHORUS
Marsz, marsz, Dabrowski,
Z ziemi wloskiej do Polski,
Za twoim przewodem
Zlaczym sie z narodem.
Przejdziem Wisle, przejdziem Warte,
Bedziem Polakami,
Dal nam przyklad Bonaparte,
Jak zwyciezac mamy.
CHORUS
Jak Czarniecki do Poznania
Po szwedzkim zaborze,
Dla ojczyzny ratowania
Wracal sie przez morze.
CHORUS
———————
Translation:
Dabrowski’s Mazurka
———————
Poland has not yet succumbed.
As long as we remain,
What the foe by force has seized,
Sword in hand we’ll gain.
CHORUS
March! March, Dabrowski!
March from Italy to Poland!
Under your command
We shall reach our land.
Cross the Vistula and Warta
And Poles we shall be;
We’ve been shown by Bonaparte
Ways to victory.
CHORUS
As Czarniecki Poznan town regains,
Fighting with the Swede,
To free our fatherland from chains,
We shall return by sea.
CHORUS
Bogurodzica
Bogurodzica dziewica, Bogiem slawiena Maryja,
U twego syna Gospodzina matko zwolena, Maryja!
Zyszczy nam, spusci nam.
Kyrieleison.
Twego dziel Krzciciela, bozycze,
Uslysz glosy, napeln mysli czlowiecze.
Slysz modlitwe, jaz nosimy,
A dac raczy, jegoz prosimy:
A na swiecie zbozny pobyt,
Po zywocie rajski przebyt.
Kyrieleison.
English Translation:
Mother of God
O Mother of God, Virgin blessed by God, Maria!
With your son, our Lord, O mother chosen, Maria!
Intercede for us, send Him to us.
Kyrie Eleison.
For the sake of thy Baptist, O Son of God,
Hear our voices, grant the wishes of men
Hear the prayer which we offer
And deign to giv what we ask,
On earth a happy sojourn,
And after life to reside in paradise.