Ballada wrześniowa [English translation]

We waited for this day

with the soul annoyed with hope

For Comrade Stalin to move the pieces

On the map with his pipe

As soon as the screams sounded at the border

Artillery barrage sounded next

With the speed of the windstorm

Red Army went to war

What is this new alliance astonished Europe is asking

How come the boys of Molotov became the Ribbentrop’s herd?

The path is marked by their victory

Th freedom banner is basked in the glory

Heads of the Polish landlords

Pave the Ukrainian roads

First Podolia then Volynhia

Fall in to hold the tribute

The plebs sings the songs of new rule

While estates and churches are ablaze

And Christ gets shot in the neck

Over the battlefield, they lift their arms

Sounding in the unison that hurts their chest

All Countless children of Soso

And Undefeated Hitler’s herd

The Bastard of Versailles is wiped out at last

Belarusian and the Jew are finally free

Never again Polish hand

Will make them do, anything

“Pravda” broadcast all-new freedoms

And the news goes around

That we are united under the Star, Sickle, Hammer and the Iron Cross

The history will not forget

When ancient land stood still

And the next generations

Will remember the Seventeen after the September First,

• Artist:Jacek Kaczmarski