The national anthem of a country is its expression of the heart and soul of its people. It is meant to evoke feelings of great pride, hope and commitment. The Polish National Anthem” Mazurek Dabrowskiego” brings these emotions and many more to all who listen and sing its words.
After the second Partition of Poland, Napoleon Bonaparte authorized exiled General Jan Henryk Dabrowski to begin the formation of the Polish Legions in Italy which would be attached to the French army. Dabrowski, joined by another exiled Polish patriot, Jozef Wybicki, began forming the Polish Legions. In a short time the legions, consisting of exiled soldiers, volunteers from Poland and desert- ers from the partitioning power armies, numbered some seven thousand men. Sensing the soldiers desires and hopes, Jozef Wybicki would write simple but touching songs for the Legionaries to sing. In July of 1797, he composed the most important of all his songs… Piesn legionow poliskich we Wloszech(Song of the Polish Legions). Within no time the song was popular not only in Italy, but had found its way to exiled Poles throughout Europe.
When it reached Poland, it was received with sincere enthusiasm by those awaiting the arrival of the Legions and the liberation of Poland. It provoked the Legionaries to pursue their fight for independence and retain their national con- sciousness. These words continue to inspire Poles to hold true to their heritage. Wybicki set aglow thousands of soldiers in the conviction of the nation’s strength and victorious future. The Song of Legions became and continues to be a symbol of Poland’s indestructibility; a symbol of great courage, even during oppression when it was forbidden to be sung. It has endured long after the oppressors were run out of Poland. In 1926, a slightly modified version of Mazurek Dabrowskiego was declared the official national anthem. It continues to invigorate and encourage all who sing her words. Remember always… “Poland has not yet perished as long as we are alive”!
Mazurek Dabrowskiego (Dabrowski’s Mazurek)
Jeszcze Polska nie zginela,
Kiedy my zyjemy.
Co nam obca przemoc wziela,
Szabla odbierzemy.Marsz, marsz Dabrowski,
Z ziemi wloskiej do Polski,
Za twoim przewodem
Zlaczym sie z narodem.Przejdziemy Wisle, przejdziemy Warte,
Bedziem Polakami,
Dal nam przyklad Bonaparte,
Jak zwycierzac mamy.Marz, marsz Dabrowski…
Jak Czarnecki do Poznania
Po szweckim zaborze,
Dla ojczyzny ratowania
Wrocim sie przez morze.Marcz, marsz Dabrowski…
Juz tam ojciec do swej Basi
Mowi zaplakany:
“Sluchaj jeno, ponoc nasi
Bija w tarabany.”Poland has not yet perished
So long as we live.
What foreign force has seized,
We’ll reclaim with sabre.March, march, Dabrowski,
From Italy to Poland,
We shall follow you
To unite with our people.We’ll cross the Wisla, we’ll cross the Warta,
We shall be Poles,
Bonaparte has shown us the way,
How to be victorious.March, march, Dabrowski…
As Czarnecki to Poznan
After the Swedish invasion.
To save the country
We will cross the sea.March, march Dabrowski…
There father to his Basia,
Speaks sparing a tear:
“Listen, now, can you hear ours
Beating the kettle-drums.”