Jesus' Garden Tomb: the unique Polish Easter

HEALING, HEALTHY, HAPPY SEASON: 
40  CAROLING DAYS
Part 2 of 2

Following Mama Mary’s lead, we mindfully “ponder all these things (events surrounding Jesus’ Birth) in our heart.” The 40 Day Carolers Season give us opportunity to do this and the Polish carol – kolęda sets a unique scene.  Picking up from the last post with number four.

4) Christ-centered playfulness

“Beating drums in rhythm lively, playing trumpet music brightly…! (Join we all the Chorus, HH, 21) is just one of the rhythm-game carols where lyrics dance a two-step. Poland’s Shepherds’ Carol (Pastorałka) is spiced with vivacious twirls, a horses’ gallop, and acrobatic feats. The Krakowiak —Hey, Brothers! Are you sleeping?; the Oberek —Once at Midnight; the Mazurek    —Hey, On Nativity Day; or the baroque white Mazur —Shepherds hear the Story!  (HH, n. 18).

Humor surfaces naturally: “Great and good man of the house, mistress most capable…, “ in Hey! On Christmas Day. Carolers cajole hosts, lightly challenging them to find their finest smoked sausage, placek, and krupnik. If not persuaded, the birth of Jesus may bring damnation or at least a taste of shame among the neighbors.  Stingy hearts at the Lord’s bountiful birth fail neighborly solicitude. Follow this 1977 Carolers Troupe's creative antics below:

Brothers, you guys here, let’s hasten forward,

Bearing our neighbors great news. Onward!

Sing with voices hardy, merry,

We need refreshments, for our party.  Hey, kolenda, kolenda!

Hosts, open up now, your winter storage,

Hostess, your pantry, may we not forage,

Choicest treats, like for the Baby,

Keep our voices singing merry. Hey, kolenda, kolenda!

(A) I’ll sing you a ditty, for a shot of whiskey. 

             —All 2gether respond: Hey, kolenda, kolenda!

Trevor: Krupnik honey-swe-e-et, just to warm our fe-e-et!. 

             —2gether; Hey, kolenda, kolenda!

Brett:   Placek, full of raisins; butter that you’re savin’.

             —2gether: Hey, kolenda, kolenda!

Trevor: – (slower & deep voiced)

Look! from rafters, hangs a thick steak,

Pull on it until the string breaks.

We won’t have to sing here freezing,

Going home from icy breezes.

             —2gether: Dear Lord bless us now!

Fraiser: May / calves / fill your stable, more than pines from forest noble.

             —2gether: May God bless you still.

Devon: Oats / golden grain flowing, just like pocket coins a’jingling.

             —2gether: May God bless you still.

Josh: Yes / turkeys! O turkeys! Bigger than your oxen lurking.

             —2gether: May God bless you still.

Brett: Let potatoes grow greater, than your shoe-size, yes, bigger.

             —2gether: May God bless you still.

Trevor: Loads of kasha in your tummies, never bare-foot, please your mommies. 

             —(2gether: May God bless you still.

Fraiser Ladies harvest heads of cabbage, bigger than the moon, not savage.

             —2gether: May God bless you still.

Devon: New / moms raise your babies, strong and healthy kiddies, ladies. 

             —2gether: May God bless you still.

(All slower, vivace) Viviat! Vivat! Sing His glories.

Greet God’s Boy upon the Manger,

(faster) Health, good fortune, safe from danger

Jesus brings you. He’s no stranger, to our daily cares.

(fast staccato)

May all ages, fit and hearty, gather harvest, good an’ plenty,

Then with angels dance a merry, polka in the skies.

Ent’ring pearly gates not shabby, in your warmest boots!

See if these carols bring us an off’ring.  Trevor goes around, passing his hat.

You don’t want our hands emptily leaving;

Shouting “Look! what cheapskates live here!”

For a 100 fold’s the kick-back. Hey, kolenda, kolenda!

5) Stimulating meditation

The reflective, rebounding lines of Yesterday at Midnight (HH, 24) create an environment of entering, up close, the stable, its light, the glory, angels, the fields, their Maiden, cattle, hay, and swaddling clothes. Melody embraces the caroler like a deep yoga session. This one-time-only, never to be repeated happening, is experienced in contemplation. Of comparable spiritual power is the refrain, “Hay of the meadows, sweeter now than roses” (Fairest of Maidens, HH, 12).

6) Eucharistic references

“God is present in human flesh. We receive Him in Communion Bread” (Ach! Witajże!) meditates on Christ’s-Mass giving birth to bountiful Eucharistic feasting.  The carol beginning each Christmas Vigil Supper and every Polish Midnight Mass, recognizes Whom the shepherds worshipped. This Babe is Our Lord present in Holy Communion.  Its lyrics declare, “Once adored within a stable, now we kneel at your table, breaking heaven’s Bread” (HH, 6)

7) A patriotic Stable event

Residents of every major Polish region walk to the stable in national garb with gifts, dialect, and instruments of local flavor.  Their journey also summons language-appropriate guests from thirteen separate European countries —the first United Nations Carol, Nużmy Bracia Pastuszkowie. At the head of this patriotic line of carols, is the American Revolutionary War era petition to the Infant Babe, in Poland’s Earth and Heaven (HH, 16): “Raise your hand O, Infant Savior…Peace on earth and to the city…Christ has made our dwelling (nation) holy.

The striking Christmas Eve scene from the movie “Katyń” presents the youngest private reporting to his commanding officer, “I’ve seen the Star.” These imprisoned military men did not share 13 courses, no hay-strewn table, white cloth or hallowed wafer. Confined to a Soviet prison, the commander intones with his company this most patriotic of all Polish carols.

8) Calling both nature and society to the celebration

Have you ever heard all these birds sing together? The nightingale, dove, blue jay, sparrow, magpie, cranes, rooster form an onomatopoeic chorus with their aviary quirks to welcome Baby Jesus (On Christmas Morning, HH, n. 27).  Another composition presents Mama Mary sweetly begging “Join me creation, so my joy widens. O winged millions…breathe quiet breezes, wind and oxen easy. She even sings out her fears: “Stable, your creaking, worry my tears teasing…” (The Lovely Maiden, HH, n. 17).

“Who will sing Him lullabies?” asks the carol, In a Manger (HH, n. 22). This question is repeated by many varied carols, finally crowned by the commanding words, “Leave your sheep, your cares and worries… Hurry! To Bethlehem!” (Shepherds! See the Glory, HH, n. 18).

The Chopin Singing Society recently embraced the choral carol, “God Eternal”, (HH, n. 29).  This possibly Polonia composition was published by Cieszykowski (Chicago, 1931). “Let all voices here on earth, greet with joy his wondrous birth” echoes through every verse. They beckon everyone, everything, even mountains, valleys, forests, trumpets, basses and violas (original version) to “Rush to see the King of Glory.”  No excuses for skipping the God-Nativity extravaganza.

Taking a mindful, forty-day, excursion through the Polish carol, instills a healthy joy-dose and stimulates personal resilience, plus a long-suffering capacity, for any trials or tragedy the New Year may bring. So characteristic of Poland’s history. Dr Thomas Witakowski, new organist, each-and-every Sunday leads St Casimir Church in caroling all the way to the 10 am, Candlemas Sunday Procession and Mass, Feb 2, 2020. Join in this faith-fun.

FYI Thunder Candle Blessing and Procession 10am, Sunday February 2, 2020.  Handmade 100% beeswax candles available by pre-order ONLY.  Send $30 check to St Casimir Church / 160 Cable St / Buffalo, NY 14206. Pick up candle in the vestibule before the procession.