Mazurek Dąbrowskiego Facts for Kids

Mazurek Dąbrowskiego is the official Polish national anthem. It was created in 1797 by Józef Wybicki. This song is also known as "Dąbrowski's Mazurka."

What is a National Anthem?
The Story Behind the Song
The Lyrics Explained
Becoming the National Anthem
Lyrics Table
Images for kids
See also

What is a National Anthem?

A national anthem is a special song that represents a country. It's often played at important events. Think of it like a musical symbol for a nation. Anthems usually talk about a country's history, struggles, or hopes. They help people feel proud of their homeland.

The Story Behind the Song

The "Mazurek Dąbrowskiego" was written a long time ago. In 1797, Poland was not a free country. Other powerful countries had taken over its land. Many Polish people wanted their country back.

Józef Wybicki wrote the song in Italy. He was with Polish soldiers called the Polish Legions. These soldiers were fighting alongside Napoleon to try and win Poland's freedom. The song was meant to give them hope and courage. It quickly became very popular among Poles who dreamed of a free Poland.

The song talks about a general named Jan Henryk Dąbrowski. He was leading the Polish Legions. The lyrics encourage the soldiers to march back to Poland. They believed that as long as they were alive, Poland could still become free again.

The Lyrics Explained

The anthem has a main part and a chorus. The chorus is repeated after each verse.

Main Part of the Song

The first lines are: Jeszcze Polska nie zginęła, Kiedy my żyjemy. This means: "Poland has not yet died, as long as we live." It's a powerful message of hope. It says that as long as Polish people are alive, their country's spirit will live on.

Co nam obca przemoc wzięła, Szablą odbierzemy. This means: "What foreign power has taken from us, we will take back with a sword." This shows the determination of the Polish people to fight for their freedom.

The Chorus

The chorus is a call to action: Marsz, marsz, Dąbrowski, Z ziemi włoskiej do Polski, Za twoim przewodem Złączym sie z narodem. This means: "March, march, Dąbrowski, from the Italian land to Poland. Under your leadership, we will unite with the nation." It's a direct command to General Dąbrowski to lead them home. It also shows the desire for all Poles to come together.

Other Verses

The song mentions crossing rivers like the Vistula and Warta. These are important rivers in Poland. It also talks about Bonaparte showing them how to win. Another verse mentions Stefan Czarniecki, a Polish general from history. He fought to save Poland before. These parts connect the current fight for freedom to past Polish victories.

The last verse is more personal. It talks about a father telling his daughter, Basia, to listen. He hears drums, hoping it means "our boys" (the Polish soldiers) are fighting. This shows how much ordinary families hoped for Poland's freedom.

Becoming the National Anthem

The "Mazurek Dąbrowskiego" was sung by Poles for many years. It was a symbol of their fight for independence. After Poland finally became a free country again in 1918, the song was officially made its national anthem in 1927.

Lyrics Table

Mazurek Dąbrowskiego	TRANSLATION: Dąbrowski's Mazurka
Jeszcze Polska nie zginęła, Kiedy my żyjemy. Co nam obca przemoc wzięła, Szablą odbierzemy.	Poland has not yet succumbed. As long as we remain, What the foe by force has seized, Sword in hand we'll gain.
Refren: Marsz, marsz, Dąbrowski, Z ziemi włoskiej do Polski, Za twoim przewodem Złączym sie z narodem.	Chorus March! March, Dabrowski! March from Italy to Poland! Under your command We shall reach our land.
Przejdziem Wisłę, przejdziem Wartę, Bedziem Polakami, Dal nam przykład Bonaparte, Jak zwyciężać mamy.<br	Cross the Vistula and Warta And Poles we shall be; We've been shown by Bonaparte Ways to victory.
Refren: Marsz, marsz, ....	Chorus
Jak Czarniecki do Poznania Po szwedzkim zaborze, Dla ojczyzny ratowania Wrócim się przez morze.	As Czarniecki Poznan town regains, Fighting with the Swede, To free our fatherland from chains, We shall return by sea.
Refren: Marsz, marsz, ....	Chorus
Już tam ojciec do swej Basi, Mówi zapłakany: "Słuchaj jeno, pono nasi Biją w tarabany!"	And the father to Basia, Then says and crying: "Listen that, it's our boys playing the drums!"
Refren: Marsz, marsz, ....	Chorus

Images for kids

One of a series of postcards, designed by Juliusz Kossak, illustrating the lyrics of "Mazurek Dąbrowskiego"
A copy of Wybicki's original handwritten song, called the Song of the Polish Legions in Italy
Bonaparte has shown us ways to victory
Like Czarniecki to Poznań...
Jan Henryk Dąbrowski (1755–1818), the general mentioned in the anthem
Józef Wybicki (1747–1822), who wrote the anthem
A special stone plaque in Reggio Emilia, Italy, where the song was written
Father, in tears, says to his Basia...
Charles Michel Guilbert d'Anelle, Expiring Soldier of Liberty (1849). This painting shows a dying freedom fighter writing "Poland is not yet lost" in his blood.
Sheet music for Bogurodzica, an even older Polish song from 1407