The History of the Song
The song was written in French by France’s national poet, Casimir François Delavigne, inspired by the events of the November Uprising. It contains certain stylistic references to“La Marseillaise,” such as“To arms, brothers, today! (in the “Warszawianka”: “Polonais, à la baïonnette”), “For our day of glory has come!” (in the “Warszawianka”: “Behold, today is a day of blood and glory”). The author of the most famous Polish translation was the poet and historian Karol Sienkiewicz, the brother of Henryk Sienkiewicz’s grandfather. The music was composed by Karol Kurpiński. The text was published in March 1831 in the Warsaw magazine“Polak Sumienny.” The song’s premiere took place on April 5, 1831, at the National Theater in a Warsaw free from Russian occupation; the composer himself conducted the orchestra. The song enjoyed great popularity from the very beginning.Stanisław Wyspiański commemorated it in his drama Warszawianka. After Poland regained independence in 1918, it was one of the candidates for the title of national anthem. In the interwar period, the opening bars of “Warszawianka” became the theme music for Polish Radio’s second channel. It became the most important song of the Warsaw Uprising[1]. On the 60th anniversary of its outbreak, the song was recorded by the band Dzieci z Brodą on the album Czuwaj wiaro!. Today, it accompanies military ceremonies, where it is performed by the Representative Orchestras of the Polish Army during parades.
SHEET MUSIC
WORDS
Today is a day of blood and glory—may it be a day of resurrection!
With the White Eagle on the Franks’ shield, it soared into the sky
Spurred on by hope, it calls to us from on high
Rise up, Poland, break your chains
Today is your triumph or your death
Hey, all you Poles, to arms!
Live in freedom, Poland, live!
With this rallying cry, let us rise up!
Our trumpet, thunder against our enemies!
Our trumpet, thunder against our enemies!
Dear Poland
Your children have reached happier moments today
Than when their famous battles were crowned by the Kremlin, the Tiber, and the Nile
For twenty years, fate scattered our men across foreign lands
Today, O Mother, whoever falls will sleep in your bosom
Hey, all you Poles, to arms!
Live in freedom, Poland, live!
With this rallying cry, let us rise up!
Our trumpet, thunder against our enemies!
Our trumpet, thunder against our enemies!
Let the drums roll! Let the cannons roar
Forward, children, in tight formation
Freedom leads the troops; Glory and Triumph flash in the point of the spear
Soar, our Eagle, high in the sky; Serve Poland’s glory and the world
Whoever survives will be free; whoever dies is already free
Hey, all you Poles, to arms!
Live in freedom, Poland, live!
With this rallying cry, let us rise up!
Our trumpet, thunder against our enemies!
Our trumpet, thunder against our enemies!
Hey, all you Poles, to arms!
Live in freedom, Poland, live!
With this rallying cry, let us rise up!
Our trumpet, thunder against our enemies!
Our trumpet, thunder against our enemies!