As the researcher of Polish Christmas carols, Stanisław Dobrzycki, notes, “Probably nowhere else in the world is Christmas carol such an element of national identity, wonderfully loved and cherished by the whole country, as it is in Poland”
The word “kolęda” (Christmas carol) has Latin origins: among the ancient Romans, calends meant the first day of the month, and from the middle of the first century AD, January calends began the new year. On that day people visited each other, wished each other well, gave gifts and sang songs in honour of the rebirth of the sun. That old tradition of festivities (of the new year) came to the Balkans and the Slavic language area in the early Middle Ages: the Old Slavic word “kolada” from that time on meant a gift, a New Year’s gift and in a broader sense – the tradition of visiting houses “po kolędzie” with congratulations for the new year, usually sung with magical, ritual songs. The oldest Polish songs of that kind have been preserved in a book from mid-16th century called Ludycje wieśne. Towards the end of the 16th century, the word kolęda acquired a second meaning – in addition to the traditional, ritual one – the modern meaning: “a song about the birth of Christ” (Jan Kochanowski, Sebastian Grabowiecki).
Christmas probably cannot be celebrated without singing Christmas carols. The most beautiful Polish carols, such as “Bóg się rodzi, moc truchleje” (God is born, the powers tremble) or “Mizerna cicha” (Poor, calm) are classics today and are sung in many homes and churches throughout Poland. The authors of many Polish carols are unknown. The reason for this is often the lack of manuscripts of those carols. Despite this, these carols accompany the Poles on Christmas Eve, giving them joy and happiness throughout the Christmas time.
“Gdy śliczna Panna” (Beautiful Mary) – the most beautiful Christmas carols such as “Gdy śliczna Panna”are among the most popular Christmas carols in Polish homes and churches today. The author is unknown, but we do know that this carol dates to the beginning of the 18th century. The carol “Gdy śliczna Panna” was initially passed down as handwritten texts, and then in the 19th century in print. The oldest preserved copy of this carol dates to the 18th century and belongs to the Jagiellonian University library collection.
“Przybieżeli do Betlejem” (They Arrived in Bethlehem) – the origin of this tune can be traced back to the 17th century. As with many other Polish Christmas carols, the authors are unknown. It has undergone many changes. The most beautiful Polish Christmas carols have been sung in churches and homes for centuries, the same goes for the Christmas carol “Przybieżeli do Betlejem”, which was sung with great love by carol singers.
“Lulajże, Jezuniu” (Sleep, baby Jesus, sleep) – this Christmas carol has been associated with the Polish national identity for many centuries. It has been an inspiration for many artists, such as Fryderyk Chopin and Jacek Kaczmarski. The carol probably dates from the 18th century, although the current version differs from the original and itcomes from the anthology by priest Michał Marcin Mioduszewski entitled “Pastorałki i kolędy z melodyjami czyli piosnki wesołe ludu w czasie świąt Bożego Narodzenia po domach śpiewane a przez XMMM zebrane” (Collected pastorals and carols with melodies, or festive folk songs during Christmas, sung in homes and collected by priest MMM) from 1843.
Source: Polish Tourism Organisation https://www.polen.travel/
