In English translation, what is the first line of the Polish national anthem?
Some Poles say that, as a nation, they are a pessimistic people. This seems to be reflected in the opening words of "Mazurek Dąbrowskiego" ( "Dąbrowski's Mazurka"), which is the national anthem of Poland. The anthem is also known by its original title, "Song of the Polish Legions in Italy". However, it is also frequently known just by its first line.
In the original Polish, the first line of the anthem is "Jeszcze Polska nie zginęła"
English translations of this line include:
"Poland has not yet perished",
"Poland has not perished yet"
"Poland is not lost",
"Poland is not lost yet",
and, most commonly, "Poland is not yet lost".
More Info:
en.wikipedia.org
What are your thoughts on this subject?
3 Comments
deborahpmercer
Unfortunately at the moment it IS lost, to populism and homophobia!
David Holmes
A Polish work colleague told me a little of his country's history and commented that he frequent invasions were reflected in the words of the national anthem and translated it for me. He had a good singing voice.
Julie Allen
The anthem contains a reference to Napoleon with whose armies the Poles hope to 'cross the Vistula and Warta (rivers) .... Bonaparte has shown us the roads to victory. ' ... But when Poland once again became a free nation at the end of WWI the song was revived and declared the country's official anthem in 1926.