Śmigus
In Poland, the day after Easter is called lany poniedziałek (Wet Monday). It's also called
Śmigus Dyngus, which is the name of an old custom in Poland whereby boys soak girls with water and hit them with pussy willow branches. The girls get their revenge on Easter Tuesday by dousing the boys!
Śmigus
Śmigus Dyngus
Easter Song
Easter Song
(Polish)
(English)
Panieneczka mała
Rano dzisiaj wstała.
Śmigus Dyngus!
Śmigus Dyngus!
Bo się wody bała.
Panieneczka mała
W kątek się schowała.
Śmigus Dyngus!
Śmigus Dyngus!
Bo się wody bała.
Panieneczka mała
Sukienkę zmaczała.
Śmigus Dyngus!
Śmigus Dyngus!
Choć się wody bała.
Little damsel
Got up early today
Smigus Dyngus!
Smigus Dyngus!
Because she was afraid of water.
Little Damsel
Hid in the corner,
Smigus Dyngus!
Smigus Dyngus!
Because she was afraid of water.
Little Damsel
Soaked her dress,
Smigus Dyngus!
Smigus Dyngus!
Although she was afraid of water.
Notes
Written by Maria Konopnicka (1842 - 1910) as a poem
Music: Zygmunt Noskowski (1846 - 1909)
"There were some old Polish words (existing only as dialect) in this rhyme that have to be changed into 'modern language'." -Agnieszka
Comments
"I remember, when I was in primary school, that boys were trying to pour out water on girls. We were running away, but not too fast, we were pretending we didn't want to get soaking wet..." -Agnieszka
Though Agnieszka wrote that sometimes the custom was banned when she was older because some boys went overboard with the tradition.
So if you're a girl or lady in Poland on Śmigus Dyngus, make sure to wear galoshes and a raincoat!
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Translated by Lisa and Agnieszka Magnucka.
Image: Soaking a Polish girl on Śmigus-Dyngus by Nationwide Specialty Co., Arlington, Texas - In Buffalo, N.Y., Stanley Novelty Co., 200 S. Ogden St. - Boston Public Library, cc.