Performance and Influence
Germans from late 1942 penalized singing of that song (and similar ones), but sung poetry, ballads and other patriotic songs would remain popular in occupied Poland throughout the period. Siekiera, motyka would remain the most popular patriotic, occupation period street song of occupied Poland.
The song tells about the life in occupied Warsaw. A notable theme of the song, particularly strong in some variants, was the criticism of German practice of łapanka's, the street round-ups that carted off random passers-by to forced labor duties.
The song was reprinted in several books and discs after the German occupation ended. The song was also featured in a movie Zakazane piosenki (Forbidden Songs) made in Poland in 1946.
Read more about this topic: Siekiera, Motyka
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