mojej corce Magdalenie
for Magda - my daughter
A kiedy umre
Nie placz po mnie wiele
Postaw krzyz z jaworu
i swiece w kosciele
Posadz brzoze skromna
Polskim zwyczajem
By plakala za mna
I za moim krajem
A tym co zapomna
Krzyz z jaworu powie
Jak kochalem ciebie
I skrzypce swierkowe
Jak kochalem Polske
I ojczysta mowe
Nie stawiaj pomnika
Ktory szybko skruszy
Westchnij do Jezusa
O spokoj mej duszy
Skrzypce co wsrod ludzi
Po mnie pozostaly
Beda spiewac ciagle
Sa pomnikiem stalym. |
And when I'm gone, and when I'm lost
Do not cry a lot ...
Just build - upon the hill
Simple maple cross ...
Lighten little votive candle
At the churches door
"When I'm gone, when I'm no more !...
Plant simple weeping birch
At the country - brook
Like we used to -According
To our fathers ancient book
Plant simple weeping birch
With your own hand
To cry sometimes - after me
And for fathers - land!
And to those, who will forget
Maple cross should tell
That I always loved thee
That I always - cared
That I always cherished
Little girl of mine
You my daughter... and my violin
Made from simple pine
This simple weeping birch
Will tell passer-by
How dearly I loved my country
Mother tongue of mine !
Don't build a monument
It will grow brittle - with time
Just sigh out to Jesus
For this soul - of mine
My violin and song
Those, for ever will stay
They will sing my love to all people
Always - every day ! ...
Translated from Polish by Dr.
Tad T. Rozycki
Houston, Feb. 18, 1999 |