Mazurek Dabrowskiego

Mazurek Dąbrowskiego

The Polish national anthem written by Józef Wybicki in 1797 and was first called the 'Song of the Polish Legions in Italy' (Pieśń Legionów Polskich we Włoszech).

Original text:

Jeszcze Polska nie zginęła,
Kiedy my żyjemy.
Co nam obca przemoc wzięła,
Szablą odbierzemy.

Marsz, marsz, Dąbrowski,
Z ziemi włoskiej do Polski,
Za twoim przewodem
Złączym się z narodem.

Przejdziem Wisłę, przejdziem Wartę,
Będziem Polakami,
Dał nam przykład Bonaparte,
Jak zwyciężać mamy.

Marsz, marsz, Dąbrowski...

Jak Czarniecki do Poznania
Po szwedzkim zaborze,
Dla ojczyzny ratowania
Wrócim się przez morze.

Marsz, marsz, Dąbrowski...

Już tam ojciec do swej Basi
Mówi zapłakany:
"Słuchaj jeno, pono nasi
Biją w tarabany."

Marsz, marsz, Dąbrowski...

First attempt of translation (by Taw). This version isn't any good. Meaning was strictly preserved per-verse not per-sentence, so grammar is quit strange. Please check and fix all deficiencies.:

Poland has not yet perished,
as long as we live.
Whatever foreign force took from us,
we'll retake by sabre.

March, March, Dabrowski,
from Italian land to Poland.
Under your lead,
we'll unite with the nation.

We'll go through Wisla and Warta,
We'll be Polish people.
Bonaparte showed us
how should we win.

March, March, Dabrowski...

As Czarnecki to Poznan,
after Swedish occupation,
To save fatherland,
we'll return through the sea.

March, March, Dabrowski...

Father's speaking to his Basia
crying:
"Listen, I've heard that ours
play on military drum"

March, March, Dabrowski...

Subtle meaning and historical context

Poland is alive as long as we live - i.e. Poland is not only a country, but also all Polish people form it. While it doesn't seem weird nowadays, it was quite unusual at time of creation.

sabre - traditional weapon of Polish cavalry[?], still used in Napoleonic era.

Dabrowski - one of leaders of Polish Legions[?], he's not the author of this anthem.

Czarnecki - one of leader of Polish war against Swedish occupation.

through sea - after liberation of Poland Czarnecki was fighting in Danmark.

Italian land, Bonaparte - Polish Legions[?] were created by Napoleon Bonaparte in Italy. Legionists believed that they will ultimately fight for independence of Poland, that was occupied at that time.

Basia - popular Polish name (little Barbara)