Bóg sie rodzi
Encyclopedia
"Bóg się rodzi" is a Polish Christmas carol
, with lyrics
written by Franciszek Karpiński
in 1792. Its stately melody (the composer has not been established) is traditionally known to be a coronation polonaise
for Polish Kings dating back as far as during the reign of Stefan Batory in the 16th century. The carol is regarded by some as the National Christmas hymn
of Poland
, and, for a short time, it was also considered a national anthem
, for instance by poet Jan Lechoń
. It has also been called "One of the most beloved Polish Christmas carols".
The carol was published for the first time in a compilation of Karpiński’s works entitled Pieśni nabożne (Songs of Piety) in 1792. The book was printed by the Basilian monk
s printing shop in Supraśl
. However, the hymn had been publicly presented already a few years earlier, in the Old Basilica in Białystok, as Karpiński lived in Białystok’s Branicki Palace in the years from 1785 to 1818. First presentation of the carol is now commemorated by a tablet, located on the wall of the church. The tablet reads: In this church, for the first time ever, Songs of Piety by Franciszek Karpiński were performed. The original title of the carol is Pieśń o Narodzeniu Pańskim (On God’s Nativity or Song of the birth of our Lord).
The carol consists of five verses, each verse with eight lines, and each line with eight syllables. The hymn can be characterized as a rhetorical tautology
, which is visible while analyzing the text (God is born, man's might is amazed: the Lord of heaven empties himself. The fire subsides, the splendour is veiled, the Infinite is encompassed). These figures of speech are used deliberately, to emphasize the importance of the miracle which took place in the shed. Lyrics of the carol are also supported by quotation from the Gospel of John
(Now indeed the Word made flesh Has come on earth to dwell among us). Additionally, Karpiński inserted a patriotic message, as the fifth verse begins with an appeal to Baby Jesus (Raise Your hand, the child of God, and Bless our beloved fatherland).
"Bóg się rodzi" was the carol on which Pope John Paul II
based his talk during the traditional exchange of Christmas greetings on 23 December 1996 at the Paul VI Auditorium. The Holy Father cited the words of the hymn saying, "The poet presented the mystery of the Incarnation of God's Son, using contrasts to express what is essential to the mystery: in assuming human nature, the infinite God at the same time assumed the limitations of a creature".
The hymn has been performed by several popular Polish artists, including Anna Maria Jopek
, Violetta Villas
, Michal Bajor
, Ryszard Rynkowski, Krzysztof Krawczyk and Eleni Tzoka
. It was sung by Polish prisoners of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp
; an account by an inmate named Jozef Jedrych, kept in the Auschwitz Museum collections, describes how "the singing of German carols began, and then like the waves of the sea came the powerful words [from a Polish carol] ‘God is born, the powers tremble’."
Christmas carol
A Christmas carol is a carol whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas or the winter season in general and which are traditionally sung in the period before Christmas.-History:...
, with lyrics
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
written by Franciszek Karpiński
Franciszek Karpinski
Franciszek Karpiński was the leading sentimental Polish poet of the Age of Enlightenment. He is particularly remembered for his religious works later rendered as hymns and carols. He is also considered one of the most original Polish writers of the early partitions...
in 1792. Its stately melody (the composer has not been established) is traditionally known to be a coronation polonaise
Polonaise
The polonaise is a slow dance of Polish origin, in 3/4 time. Its name is French for "Polish."The polonaise had a rhythm quite close to that of the Swedish semiquaver or sixteenth-note polska, and the two dances have a common origin....
for Polish Kings dating back as far as during the reign of Stefan Batory in the 16th century. The carol is regarded by some as the National Christmas hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
of Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, and, for a short time, it was also considered a national anthem
National anthem
A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...
, for instance by poet Jan Lechoń
Jan Lechon
Leszek Józef Serafinowicz was a Polish poet, literary and theater critic, diplomat, and co-founder of the Skamander literary movement and the Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America.-Life:Lechoń studied Polish language and literature at Warsaw University, by...
. It has also been called "One of the most beloved Polish Christmas carols".
The carol was published for the first time in a compilation of Karpiński’s works entitled Pieśni nabożne (Songs of Piety) in 1792. The book was printed by the Basilian monk
Basilian monk
Basilian monks are monks who follow the "Rule" of Saint Basil the Great, bishop of Caesarea. The chief importance of the monastic rules and institutes of St. Basil lies in the fact that to this day his reconstruction of the monastic life is the basis of most of the monasticism practiced in the...
s printing shop in Supraśl
Suprasl
Supraśl is a town in north-eastern Poland. It is the home of the Supraśl Lavra, one of only six Eastern Orthodox monasteries for males in Poland. Situated in the Podlaskie Voivodeship , previously in Białystok Voivodeship . It is located in Białystok County, about 15 km northeast of...
. However, the hymn had been publicly presented already a few years earlier, in the Old Basilica in Białystok, as Karpiński lived in Białystok’s Branicki Palace in the years from 1785 to 1818. First presentation of the carol is now commemorated by a tablet, located on the wall of the church. The tablet reads: In this church, for the first time ever, Songs of Piety by Franciszek Karpiński were performed. The original title of the carol is Pieśń o Narodzeniu Pańskim (On God’s Nativity or Song of the birth of our Lord).
The carol consists of five verses, each verse with eight lines, and each line with eight syllables. The hymn can be characterized as a rhetorical tautology
Tautology (rhetoric)
Tautology is an unnecessary or unessential repetition of meaning, using different and dissimilar words that effectively say the same thing...
, which is visible while analyzing the text (God is born, man's might is amazed: the Lord of heaven empties himself. The fire subsides, the splendour is veiled, the Infinite is encompassed). These figures of speech are used deliberately, to emphasize the importance of the miracle which took place in the shed. Lyrics of the carol are also supported by quotation from the Gospel of John
Gospel of John
The Gospel According to John , commonly referred to as the Gospel of John or simply John, and often referred to in New Testament scholarship as the Fourth Gospel, is an account of the public ministry of Jesus...
(Now indeed the Word made flesh Has come on earth to dwell among us). Additionally, Karpiński inserted a patriotic message, as the fifth verse begins with an appeal to Baby Jesus (Raise Your hand, the child of God, and Bless our beloved fatherland).
"Bóg się rodzi" was the carol on which Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
based his talk during the traditional exchange of Christmas greetings on 23 December 1996 at the Paul VI Auditorium. The Holy Father cited the words of the hymn saying, "The poet presented the mystery of the Incarnation of God's Son, using contrasts to express what is essential to the mystery: in assuming human nature, the infinite God at the same time assumed the limitations of a creature".
The hymn has been performed by several popular Polish artists, including Anna Maria Jopek
Anna Maria Jopek
Anna Maria Jopek is a Polish musician and singer. She represented her country in the 1997 Eurovision Song Contest, with the song "Ale jestem" and finished 11th out of 25 participating acts; and in 2002, she collaborated on an album with jazz guitarist Pat Metheny...
, Violetta Villas
Violetta Villas
Violetta Villas is a Belgian-born Polish and international singer, actress, composer and songwriter. Her voice is characterized as coloratura soprano, she has five-octave vocal range and absolute pitch. Villas can play the piano, violin and trombone...
, Michal Bajor
Michal Bajor
Michał Bajor is a Polish actor and musician.-Selected filmography:* Alchemist as Prince Frederick* Escape from the 'Liberty' Cinema as film critic* Quo vadis as Neron...
, Ryszard Rynkowski, Krzysztof Krawczyk and Eleni Tzoka
Eleni Tzoka
Eleni Tzoka is a Polish female singer of Greek descent.-Biography:Tzoka was born to a Greek family which emigrated to Poland in the 1950s. At an early age, she was familiarized with music by her parents and numerous siblings who would constantly play or sing...
. It was sung by Polish prisoners of the Auschwitz Concentration Camp
Auschwitz concentration camp
Concentration camp Auschwitz was a network of Nazi concentration and extermination camps built and operated by the Third Reich in Polish areas annexed by Nazi Germany during World War II...
; an account by an inmate named Jozef Jedrych, kept in the Auschwitz Museum collections, describes how "the singing of German carols began, and then like the waves of the sea came the powerful words [from a Polish carol] ‘God is born, the powers tremble’."
See also
- HymnHymnA hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
- List of Christmas carols
- Christmas musicChristmas musicChristmas music comprises a variety of genres of music normally performed or heard around the Christmas season, which tends to begin in the months leading up the actual holiday and end in the weeks shortly thereafter.-Early:...
- Christmas in Poland
- KoledaKoledaKolyada or koleda is an ancient Slavic winter ritual celebrating the Old New Year. It was later incorporated into Christmas. The word is still used in modern Belarusian , Bulgarian, Macedonian, Serbian and Croatian, Slovak...