Excerpts of Stabat Mater
Composer: Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937)

Listen to Part II, Part IV, Part VI

Part II   *  Listen

I ktoz widzac tak cierpiaca Iza nie zacmi sie goraca, nie drgnie, taki czujac noz. I kto serca nie ubroczy, widzac jak do krzyza oczy wzbila, z bolu dretwa juz. Ach, Za ludzkiego rodu winy jak katowan byl jedyny, meki kazdy niosla dzial! I widziala jak rodzony jej umieral opuszczony, zanim Bogu dusze dal.

In there any, tears withholding, Christ's dear mother thus beholding, In woe -- like no other woe! Who that would not grief be feeling for that Holy Mother kneeling-- what suffering was ever so? For the sins of every nation she beheld his tribulation, given to scourgers for a prey: Saw her Jesus foully taken, languishing, by all forsaken, when his spirit passed away.

Part IV  *  Listen

Spraw, niech placze z Toba razem, krzyza zamkne sie obrazem az po moj ostatni dech. Niechaj pod nim razem stoje, dziele Twoje krwawe znoje. Twa bolescia zmywam grzech.

In Thy keeping, watching, weeping, by the Cross may I unsleeping live and sorrow for His sake. Close to Jesus, with Thee kneeling, all Thy dolours with Thee feeling, oh grant this -- the prayer I make.

Part VI  *  Listen

Chrystus niech mi bedzie grodem, krzyz niech bedzie mym przewodem, Laska pokrop, zy cie daj! Kiedy cialo me sie skruszy, oczyszczonej w ogniu duszy glorje zgotuj niebo, raj.

May his sacred Cross defend me, he who died there so befriend me, that His pardon shall suffice. When this earthly frame is riven, grant that to my soul be given all the joys of Paradise!