Pieśń Wojów - Epic Slavic Music of Poland

Music by Czesław Niemen, arrangement and vocals by Farya Faraji. The history behind this piece is interesting: it's often mistakenly presented as an actual medieval piece of music, but it isn't, it's a modern song written and performed by legendary Polish rock-star Czesław Niemen (February 16, 1939 - January 17, 2004). The lyrics and subject matter however, are medieval, mostly the latter. The literal lyrics heard here are not actually from the Middle-Ages as they are in Modern Polish, but they are a modern Polish translation of a medieval text written in Latin by a Gall Anonim, an unknown writer who was probably a foreigner in Poland (hence the term Gall. meaning Gallus, "from Gaul," which might indicate he was from France). Gallus Anonimus is regarded as the first historian to have described the history of Poland, and he did so in the work "Gesta principum Polonorum," (Deeds of the Princes of the Poles).
This part of the text, that Niemen translated into Modern Polish, deals with the reign of Bolesław III Krzywousty (the Wrymouth), who lived from August 20, 1086 to October 28, 1138. His predecessors had lost much of the territory of the Polish principality, especially those leading to the Baltic Sea. Bolesław, however, managed to reconquer those lands, and consequently, the text praises the current generation of Poles, who claim that they feast on the purest fish from the "ocean," whilst their forefathers made do with polluted fish and deer from the rivers and lakes.
My arrangement is meant to evoke Medieval Poland’s, hence the use of the bagpipe, hurdy-gurdy, the hammered dulcimer and the jaw harp, instruments that were central to Polish music up until the 1800’s.
Original Latin text by Gallus Anonimus:
Pisces salsos et foetentes apportabant alii,
Palpitantes et recentes nunc apportant filii.
Civitates invadebant patres nostri primitus,
Hii procellas non verentur neque maris sonitus,
Agitabant patres nostri cervos, apros, capreas,
Hii venantur monstra maris et opes aequoreas.
Song's lyrics in Modern Polish by Czesław Niemen:
Naszym przodkom wystarczały ryby słone i cuchnące
My po świeże przychodzimy, w oceanie pluskające !
Ojcom naszym wystarczało, jeśli grodów dobywali
A nas burza nie odstrasza, ni szum groźny morskiej fali;
Nasi ojce na jelenia urządzali polowanie -
A my skarby i potwory łowim, skryte w oceanie !
English translation:
Our fathers were pleased with noisome fish,
We hunt fish unsullied, splashing in the ocean,
Our fathers were proud with the forts they conquered,
Us, neither thunder drives away, nor the noise of large waves threaten,
Our fathers, hunting deer they went,
We hunt troves and monsters, hidden in the ocean!

[@faryafaraji]

Music by Czesław Niemen, arrangement and vocals by Farya Faraji. The history behind this piece is interesting: it's often mistakenly presented as an actual medieval piece of music, but it isn't, it's a modern song written and performed by legendary Polish rock-star Czesław Niemen (February 16, 1939 - January 17, 2004). The lyrics and subject matter however, are medieval, mostly the latter. The literal lyrics heard here are not actually from the Middle-Ages as they are in Modern Polish, but they are a modern Polish translation of a medieval text written in Latin by a Gall Anonim, an unknown writer who was probably a foreigner in Poland (hence the term Gall. meaning Gallus, "from Gaul," which might indicate he was from France). Gallus Anonimus is regarded as the first historian to have described the history of Poland, and he did so in the work "Gesta principum Polonorum," (Deeds of the Princes of the Poles). This part of the text, that Niemen translated into Modern Polish, deals with the reign of Bolesław III Krzywousty (the Wrymouth), who lived from August 20, 1086 to October 28, 1138. His predecessors had lost much of the territory of the Polish principality, especially those leading to the Baltic Sea. Bolesław, however, managed to reconquer those lands, and consequently, the text praises the current generation of Poles, who claim that they feast on the purest fish from the "ocean," whilst their forefathers made do with polluted fish and deer from the rivers and lakes. My arrangement is meant to evoke Medieval Poland’s, hence the use of the bagpipe, hurdy-gurdy and the jaw harp, three instruments that were central to Polish music up until the 1800’s. Original Latin text by Gallus Anonimus: Pisces salsos et foetentes apportabant alii, Palpitantes et recentes nunc apportant filii. Civitates invadebant patres nostri primitus, Hii procellas non verentur neque maris sonitus, Agitabant patres nostri cervos, apros, capreas, Hii venantur monstra maris et opes aequoreas. Song's lyrics in Modern Polish by Czesław Niemen: Naszym przodkom wystarczały ryby słone i cuchnące My po świeże przychodzimy, w oceanie pluskające ! Ojcom naszym wystarczało, jeśli grodów dobywali A nas burza nie odstrasza, ni szum groźny morskiej fali; Nasi ojce na jelenia urządzali polowanie - A my skarby i potwory łowim, skryte w oceanie ! English translation: Our fathers were pleased with noisome fish, We hunt fish unsullied, splashing in the ocean, Our fathers were proud with the forts they conquered, Us, neither thunder drives away, nor the noise of large waves threaten, Our fathers, hunting deer they went, We hunt troves and monsters, hidden in the ocean!

[@SMiki55]

A trivia you might find interesting: did you know that Polish nobles actually believed that they originated from Iran? You can read "Sarmatism" on Wikipedia if you wish to learn more :)

[@meneloaswielki4866]

You watch Czesław Niemen ,,Dziwny jest ten świat,,

[@djakmalinakot8568]

@@SMiki55 Sarmatians lives on the modern Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan and Turkestan. But yes he's language been similiar to the Iranian

[@viadro4618]

@@SMiki55 actually it was just ideology like german Aryans.

[@kube410]

I appreciate the research that went into this!! sounds amazing man

[@deuterokatechumenizator8158]

To najbardziej epicki śpiew o starych będących fanatykami wędkarstwa ever.

[@TrollDragomir]

Prawie się udusiłem xD

[@l3sni36]

Łowienie w morzu to już rybołóstwo, a nie wędkarstwo :p

[@dumplingboi6881]

@@l3sni36 Jak używasz wędki to jest to wciąż wędkarstwo imo.

[@anta2030]

I am from Poland and I love this

[@Daurentius322]

I am a simple Serb; I see something from fellow Slavs and like it, but when it is epic as this I love it. Greetings from Serbia to our Polish brothers and sisters and also to you Farya.

[@starytruten4389]

Mi svi smo Srbi. ;)

[@Knight_of_Poland]

Greetings to Serbian brothers from Poland🇵🇱💖🇷🇸 Edit: Serbian war songs are outstanding. Hriste Bože, Serbia Strong...or Roki Vulović

[@zlatni_orao]

​@@Knight_of_Poland😂😂God bless you my friend it made me laugh Christ God Serbia stronk

[@Knight_of_Poland]

@@zlatni_orao Hehe, my pleasure it made you laugh. God bless you!🇵🇱❤️‍🔥🇷🇸🇲🇪✝️☦️

[@marvju209]

Dziękuję. 🌺 Gdybyś jeszcze kiedyś chciał nagrać jakąś dawną polską pieśń, to polecam "Gaude mater Polonia" 😊

[@meysamghahremaninejad6809]

A non polish Slavic person speaks polish = chad A non-Slavic person speaks polish = mega chad A non-Slavic person sings in polish = ultra mega chad ✊

[@Sergei105]

Any person who speaks Polish is a chad, no matter who he or she is

[@adam4191]

Thanks for Polish song. Respect From Poland .

[@faryafaraji]

Dzięki my friend, much love to Poland!

[@bohdanmiller]

Polski jest piękny język, pozdrawiam z Ukrainy. 🇵🇱🇺🇦

[@LilGriffomskkkrrt]

I love Poland, never even been there, just amazing history, culture, and people

[@CharllesQ]

I hope in future there will be more Polish songs, as always great, greetings from Poland ❤

[@lucimicle5657]

I am not from Poland and I love this.

[@faryafaraji]

As someone also not from Poland I am honoured

[@vattghern257]

As someone from Poland I love this with my whole heart.

[@ancan13]

I can't say anything than: of course Farya, of course amazing. many thanks from Poland❤️

[@faryafaraji]

I’m honoured, much love from Canada!

[@Enter_Yedn]

@@faryafaraji what is your nationality?? I hope you don't mind this question... Probably you have said it somewhere yet, but I still dont know.

[@Sasha_Miladinovic]

Greetings from Serbia. Slavic brothers. 🇷🇸❤️🇵🇱

[@burczik1430]

i'm not polish, but i know this language and it's really satysfying for me to hear you singing in polish. Good song, thanks

[@undervine]

Man as a Polish dude, the legends are true. Your accent adaptation if bloody amazing. Keep it up!

[@faryafaraji]

Playing Witcher 3 in Polish for 200 hours will do that haha, thanks my man

[@bullofcrmnica]

Greetings from Serbia and Montenegro to our Slavic brothers!СЛАВА РОДУ!

[@goneintodarkness8095]

Слава Роду Славянскому!

[@Slowianski_Kolovrot]

SLAVA !!!

[@Knight_of_Poland]

Greetings🇵🇱💖🇷🇸🇲🇪

[@juleksz.5785]

In the opening pages of the Cronic, Gaul anonymous, several times thanked the Polish Archbishop for the funding of the chronicle. At the same page he also several times told how he deserved coin for his work - also several times he written how people that didn't want to him to be rewarded were wrong. I'm very possitively suprised this - quite unpopular/not well known - song was coevred on this channel. Really loved the final effect. Btw, There is a medieval Polish song called "Oj Chmielu, chmielu". It has great cultural and historical importance. I am not saying anything, just this funfact.

[@NemooSK]

Very nice, awesome work as always. Hope to hear one for Slovakia someday.

[@tabularasa_br]

Carpathian music is mesmerizing!

[@faryafaraji]

Definitely must look into Slovakia yeah!

[@NemooSK]

@@faryafaraji Sounds good! Not sure how much is avaible in english, but hopefully enough :D

[@lubuszanin7941]

Thank you very much for all amazing songs from different cultures. Much respect from Poland

[@justinianthegreat1444]

Oh wow another Slavic hit, excited to listen to this Edit: it's actually epic as expected from Farya, he's rocking that outfit lol

[@gromosawsmiay3000]

what's up with Theodora ? also gossips telling us that Belisarius have some misunderstandings with Narses in Italia, keep eye on Them

[@dannaaay7542]

Awesome as always. I always appreciate the beautiful locations and (to my knowledge) historically accurate clothes you get for these videos. It really makes for an immersive experience.

[@faryafaraji]

Thanks alot! Tbh I doubt my clothing are always historically accurate as there's so many details a learned eye would perceive, but my channel's promise is based on musical accuracy; the clothes are just a bonus to add some sense of cultural vibe

[@3kcozadurnylol]

Absolutely awesome! :D Greetings from Poland, Farya! :D

[@amirmichaelroyer]

Dziękuję bardzo!

[@MilitarnyOrient]

Your pronunciation is remarkable, especially for non-Slavic person

[@Akoya7]

,,Our fathers were proud with the forts they conquered, Us, neither thunder drives away, nor the noise of large waves threaten" - yes, this is about us and this is how we should remain😌

[@cofishachou]

Polish music always hits different. And your voice makes it even more epic

[@saebica]

I'm crying. I clicked on the video, the music started, and when the first sound came outta your mouth, my throat became tight, I sighted, I felt the tears in my eyes already coming, almost instantly. Thank you.

[@Hu55ar]

I love this! Also, I have a suggestion. The oldest complete song over 2000 years ago. The greek song Seikilos Epitaph. I would love to see what you would do with it. With your vocals and your great experience in music of that genre.

[@barbarabakinowska5680]

Przepiękne! Najlepsza wersja od czasow Czeslawa Niemena. Przypomina mi to nasze wyjazdy na festiwale historyczne. dziekuje Farja !

[@TheAnticlinton]

Hey, your music theory videos are the most informative yet accessible out there, especially regarding poorly known in the west music traditions. It would be awesome to have a video where you go through the musical provinces in eurasia, and delve into the modes used per medieval musical tradition! Also, more east and central euro slavic medieval music is definitely appreciated. For authentic east slavic folk songs, the bands stary olsa and vedan kolod are the main ones focusing on authenticity!

[@Svevladovich]

Respect Farya for this beautiful Slavic song and also big respect to my Polish brothers and sisters from Serbia! СЛАВА РОДУ! 🌾🌾

[@eMBO_Gaming]

Sława! 🇵🇱🇷🇸

[@wojtjankowski6816]

I've also heard about secend version od lyrics. It is not about seas and fishes and I tried to translate it into English: "Our grandfathers had their lands across the see. Our fathers gave their tribe under swords of enemies. Our grandfathers washed their swords in oceans. And we are washing faults of our fathers in our wounds". I thing its even better than lyrics by Czesław Niemen. But this, what you have done here is beautiful. Thank you for showing Polish culture, music and history to world!

[@PredixPL]

As a Pole, I approve this. Great job!

[@wirginiamobillio]

Wow, this is a really amazing and epic performance, thank you! Greetings from a half ukrainian, half polish person:) 🇺🇦🇵🇱

Great job! Greetings from Poland

[@SoulOfTheDesert]

Wow amazing performance Farya, this one gives goosebumps!

[@knightsolaire6342]

I feel like I am repeating myself but this is phenomonal work, as always! I so wish your music was available on Itunes or Spotify or something. I would gladly pay for your albums. You are an amazing artist. It is beyond incredible how well you sing and in so many different languages!

[@Slowianski_Kolovrot]

Sława naszym Dziadom i Pradziadom!!! SŁOWIANOM

[@Radonatorr]

Ah yes, a song about the eternal Polish struggle for the sea access. Or "ocean" access in that case, 'cause when you risk getting landlocked even the smallest of seas is like an ocean (as our Czech, Slovak and Hungarian neighbours can confirm). Anyways, excellent job Farya, as usuall! I'd love to hear more Polish or West Slavic songs performed by you too

[@faryafaraji]

Definitely going more into West and East Slavic music this winter for sure!

[@igor-z-gor-2005]

So,if you will be making east slavic music sir,I suggest some Ukrainian song.

[@Knight_of_Poland]

I am Polish...I have not heard better version in my life. IT IS BEAUTIFUL! Congratulations Farya Faraji for making the best version ever. And gaining new subscriber😉

[@szerokootwarteoczy]

to jest głębokie poruszające tam gdzieś daleko. tchnienie przodków, ich dzielności, poświęcenia i wszechtrwającego ducha.

[@Tharsix36]

Genialne wykonanie!

[@CONSTANTINEXI63]

In my opinion, this is some of your best work

[@Ja-gv1mx]

I love this song and I'm glad it got a new, wonderful version

[@novislavdajic983]

Dude, you have no idea how amazed I am with your ability to adapt to foreign pronounciations. I had suspicions that you're good at it after songs in Latin but now, hearing you sing in Polish I'm 100% positive about it. It's nearly spotless, while almost all foreigners I met, even Slavic, have problems with doing it right even if they speak Polish for years. Kudos!

[@user-mq4rp4cm3h]

To jest bardzo dobre!

[@adamberz5111]

ахахахахаха

[@mihajlocolic01]

Cyrillic left the chat

[@user-mq4rp4cm3h]

@@mihajlocolic01 😄😄😄

[@neutral643]

The great Polish song🔥🇵🇱

[@maciejkalbarczyk6015]

Thanks man, I really appreciate it. Greetings from Poland

[@maciejkalbarczyk6015]

And I must say that your polish is very good

[@metanoian965]

Polish Eagle - Duma Rycerska - Y T

[@iberius9937]

Don't know how the hell I forgot to like this one. Revisiting it a year later, it is a masterpiece. Excellent cinematography and framing as far as the video is concerned, excellent outfit and presence. Awesome vocals and haunting melody/arrangement. Sheer epicness. You have a way of capturing the essence of the musical cultures you portray in such a vivid, fresh, and no less epic manner, as usual.

[@1Dragazes8]

You are amazing person! Greetings from Poland.

[@furkancanoglu2755]

Honorable and brave old enemy. Greetings from Turkey

[@Kowalek94]

Love Turkey from Poland : )

[@wirginiamobillio]

Thanks :) Greetings from Ukraine and Poland 🇺🇦🇵🇱

[@matkapolska364]

as a person of predominant polish-slavic descendant, i approve

[@henrykkeszenowicz4664]

This is great, as always.

[@lew8176]

as a Polish person, thank you for making this beautiful piece of music, also for the very informative description. i really appreciate how precise you are when you give your sources and explain your process. if you'd be interested, i'd love to see you exploring white voice technique - in a song, or maybe a video essay (maybe you did already actually as it also exists in music of other Slavic cultures).

[@ThePawcios]

I would love to hear the oldsest Polish war song recorded in history Bogurodzica 1410 AD in your arrangement :D Cheers all the best

[@romchyk_ukr]

damn, im ukrainian and understood most of the song. Love Poland, Jeszcze Polska nie zginęła

[@SMiki55]

W-wanna form a Commonwealth, Ukrainian senpai? 😳

[@_.stargazer._]

Slava Ukraini!

[@romchyk_ukr]

@@SMiki55 No thanks, it was great idea in past, but not now.

[@SMiki55]

@@romchyk_ukr no problem, good luck on the frontline!

[@greatsarmatae]

@@SMiki55 yes, we do, instead of powerless NATO 🙏 This time we are a bit more in lead though, ok? 😄

[@Shamanthebarbarian]

God Bless from Poland!

[@onefeyturk]

I admire your work, Farya. You inspire me.

[@codinpetrian742]

Beautiful song peace to our polish friends, i'm from Romania(Gaetia)

[@res8165]

Great performance of great song. Your polish pronunciation is flawless my friend, congrats!

[@faryafaraji]

Thanks alot my friend!

[@fuferito]

I shared this with a fellow history buff friend of mine, who speaks Polish, and he did appreciate it.

[@vattghern257]

I'm Polish and thank you for this

[@9and7]

Amazing work once again FF. Eagery awaiting more. Slavic, Latin...everything! Cheers!

[@annafirnen4815]

Another outstanding interpretation, and I love the visuals!

[@arturceberek555]

Very nicely. We could use a refresher on the message of this song.

[@ja3044]

Best for you from Poland, Faraya! You are a true Polymath of world's music. I can tell you that your polish pronunciation is very good here, respect. I was always a bigger fan of your interpretation of eastern music (most - if not all - your Byzantine and Persian tracks are masterpiece), but in my humble opinion, this track is on top of your content along with "I am Cyrus" or "Hikanatoi".

[@greygamertales1293]

Your clothing in this video is what I imagine what a Norseman would have worn during the Viking Age even if it's not really historically accurate. I am wondering if any Polish knights were involved in the medieval Crusades in the Middle East. I love how you put historical details in your videos on music from the past.

[@adadniri319]

Yes. One of the Polish princes - Henry of Sandomierz in 1154 went on an expedition to the Holy Land. There is also a funny story about another prince, Leszek the White. He rejected the papal invitation to the crusade, explaining that he was unable to drink anything other than beer, and unfortunately there was a lack of this drink in the Holy Land.

[@BartoszOdziomek]

اعدام و ویدیو بسیار عالیه‌، خوشحالم که این آهنگ خاصی را انتخاب کردی. از بابت همه موسیقیت سپاسگزارم. درود از لهستان! 🙏

[@BartoszOdziomek]

@@GrasmesterTvoegoOhka 😳 bruh It's persian not arabic and yes I'm polish. Since Farya is iranian and I'm studying Iranian Studies I used persian to comment as a form of respect.

[@JIMIAGA]

Super zaśpiewane, czysto i majestatycznie. Brawo gratulacje.Proszę jeszcze o aranżację pieśni:Słowiański Rytuał - Pieśń Sobótkowa lub Sati Sauri- Modlitwa Słowiańska.

[@dominickaplan2540]

Great beautifull sounding piece !

[@satiremuch2643]

Awsome!

[@aleksandra5305]

Maravilla ❤❤❤gracias Farya eres el mejor

[@JanuszAdmin]

I came to your channel thanks to the song about Bellisarius, but I didn't expect THIS thing from my country. Thanks!

[@BestKCL]

Whoa, nice. I just looked at your channel to see if you did any Polish stuff, only to see it new, front and center! Edit: If you ever do more, I recommend looking into the Fidel Bilgorajski and Fidel Płocka, which are both obscure but beautiful stringed instruments that were reconstructed from archeological finds. Maria Pomianowska is a pro musician who headed the reconstruction, and there are videos of her playing these instruments on her channel. She even played these instruments with Yo Yo Ma in Japan in a composition she wrote.

[@Skull.man00]

Damn, this is amazing

[@eMBO_Gaming]

I didn't expect you to make this song, in fact I didn't expect anyone outside of Poland to know this song at all. Everything you touch you make the best version of.

[@marekkrajewski9662]

you really look like a slavic warrior of yore! Plus - nice polish pronunciation! 👍

[@user-pe9if1hn9n]

You have a very noble appearance, my brother. You are a talent. Greetings from your Armenian brother. You are doing a good job!

[@user-sx1mm1sl6u]

Amazing song, as always. I was wondering if you were going to do medieval Arabic music. It seems to be a large musical corpus that you are yet to touch upon.

[@lebrusk6044]

Toujours aussi bon

[@TheAtlarchy]

Wow... you nailed it like a real polish slav!

[@Rayannaveed395]

Very good 👍

[@MoziLGamer]

Polish: -Naszym przodkom wystarczały ryby słone i cuchnące, My po świeże przychodzimy, w oceanie pluskające! -Ojcom naszym wystarczało, jeśli grodów dobywali, A nas burza nie odstrasza ni szum groźny morskiej fali. -Nasi ojce na jelenie urządzali polowanie, A my skarby i potwory łowim, skryte w oceanie. English: - Our ancestors were satisfied with salty and foul-smelling fish, We come for fresh, splashing in the ocean! -It was enough for our fathers if they conquered strongholds, And we are not deterred by the storm, nor by the menacing roar of the sea wave. -Our fathers used to hunt deer, And we hunt for treasures and monsters, hidden in the ocean.

[@mikoajbiakowski4624]

POLSKA GUROM!1! POLEN STRONK 💪❤🤍🦅 Greetings from Radom!

[@ydkaachillesa9353]

Traditionally best quality + very diverse musical interest.

[@michalkurosa6841]

Oooo kurcze..... Man you made me day. Svatovid with you.

[@somerandomrpgenthusiast8451]

I like how the song sounds like an epic chant, but it's essentially about Polish people celebrating that they can go fishing

[@faryafaraji]

Who thought catching anchovies would sound so epic (i don’t even know if there are anchovies in the Baltic sea)

[@kubap-qk9jq]

yes, there are anchovies in the Baltic Sea, but they are not a particularly common species, but herring and cod are plentiful

[@tarczak2945]

Very nice

[@9pltomaszpl9PL]

Every song about ancestors: Oh fathers and grandfathers, we wish to be as wise and strong as you... Polish songs about ancestors: Yeah, we're eating fresh fish, not like you some stinking crap, suck that dad!

[@lix6028]

This just brought all slavs together 😂 Greetings from Bosnia 🇧🇦 Slava Rodu

[@akimon321]

O matko, wow..

[@user-mq4rp4cm3h]

But this is masterpiece! As always.

[@mohamedwoody6953]

Great

[@user-qb6db4vg7n]

Aaaaa You agein ^_^ .... Awesome song BROOOO i cenot stop Lisen :D Tx Bro you are the best waiting for the new hits :))))) you are number 1

[@toyfoxy-rq4ee]

How did i miss you?😍

[@jezuschrystus9099]

Piękne

[@eMBO_Gaming]

Szczęść Boże

[@latifakudsi1376]

🔥🔥

[@adamberz5111]

It's just amazing! btw im still waiting for the Bronze Age song, as well as the Belarusian one….. (check out the Stary Olsa and Dzivia)

[@sebastianhojda2676]

Epic song , you should try to recreate Gautis Bida ( Prayer of Gaut ) Visigothic Pagan music . You're very talented so I believe you could do an amazing job .

[@ugurcansinturk8145]

Can you sing the Çanakkale folk song, which has an important place in Turkish culture?

[@kacperwilk8806]

As for the Gall, he probably wasn't actually a Gall, but an Italian monk

[@furSonea]

I would actually prefer to hear the latin version. Im used to hearing the polish one and interested how proper mid medieval latin would sound with polish accent. As polish phonology is similar to classical pronouncing of latin. Yet i appreciate how well made is this polish version. You are a great artist, I would love to see You on Spotify.

[@furSonea]

Can You also check polish folk band ViatoreS?

[@furSonea]

How did You got the clothes? Where was this video filmed?