Gaude Mater Polonia - History

History

The Anthem came to existence in 1253, along with the canonization of saint Stanisław Szczepanowski (September 8 in Assisi), who died a martyrs death on April 11, 1079. It is assumed that the first performance of the piece took place on May 8, 1254, during the canonization ceremonies in Kraków, Poland. The author of the anthem is the first - in music history - known by name Polish composer (and poet) - Vincent of Kielcz - a Dominican priest, Cracovian canon and chaplain of the bishop Ivon Odrowąż. For a long time he was mistakenly called Vincent of Kielce. To commemorate the canonization of St. Stanislas, Vincent wrote “The History of St. Stanislas” in latin (Dies adet celebris), which contained sung elements. Within the History was the song “Gaude, mater Polonia”, which after time became known as an independent piece. Throughout the years its role grew to become the Kings anthem under the Piast rulings.

The anthem became a part of Polish tradition and its history, being sung on coronations of Polish Kings, royal marriages, as well as during celebrations of the victory of John III Sobieski under Vienna (1683). Kings and military commanders thanked for their successes by singing the anthem Gaude, mater Polonia. The melody has been popular for almost 750 years. It became a key element of the Polish Culture, sung after victories of the Polish Army. Nowadays Gaude, mater Polonia is sung at most universities of Poland for the inauguration of the academic year as well as during important national holidays relating to Poland's history.

Vincent of Kielcz is the author of the entire poetic oficium of st. Stanislas. He wrote it in during the times of ruling of prince Bolesław II the Bold. Throughout his entire ruling period of 30 years, Bolesław II the Bold was unable to unite Poland, which had been fragmented into 20 districts over the years. For that exact reason the poet decided to describe the life and accomplishments of bishop Stanislas and the miracles which occurred after his death. The same miracles that people had been speaking of for almost 200 years. The legend says that after the body of St. Stanislas was cut up into pieces, the parts miraculously grew back together to form the whole body again. Eagles were to circle the sky at that time. This legend symbolizes the current state of Poland in those years - split into pieces but hoping to grow back together to form a country again. This uniting of Poland actually took place a couple years after the coronation of St. Stanislas under the rulings of King Wladyslaw I "The Elbow-High".