I Reacted to Poland’s Most Powerful Anthem – ‘Rota’ Will Break You 🇵🇱💔

In this video, I’ll be reacting to "Rota" ("The Oath"), a powerful Polish poem and anthem written by Maria Konopnicka in 1908 as a protest against the German Empire's oppressive policies toward Polish identity. First published in the Gwiazdka Cieszyńska newspaper, the poem later inspired music composed by Feliks Nowowiejski in 1910.

"Rota" holds a significant place in Polish history, particularly during World War II when scouts in Zielonka used its lyrics to honor Polish Independence Day, leading to a tragic reprisal by German forces. The poem remained important during the Communist era and was even recognized by the Polish Sejm in 2010. Join me as I explore the themes and history behind this iconic piece!

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[leszekstefaniak]

MY Polacy pamietamy ze w 1939 roku Włochy odmówiły Hitlerowi udziału w ataku na Polske, dlatego tez miedzy innymi tak Bardzo lubimy Ciebie, Twoich rodaków! Wielki szacun i Pozdrowienia z Polski

[GrazynaRonda]

Polska kiedyś była Królestwem.
Pierwszą dynastią był ród Piastów.

[ewapaulus]

Polacy nie proszą o wolność my o nią walczymy!❤

[darekpiczak]

Thanks for the song. Poland and Italy were not enemies of each other. May God protect Poland and Italy.

[Vilao]

This is a prayer and an oath of the Polish Nation. Every sentence have symbolic and historical meaning

[madrianzorroonio]

Golden horn is legendary artifact from theater art "Wesele" (The Wedding) Stanisław Wyspiański. Sound this horn have call all Polish peoples to rise and fight for independence.

[copricorn_moon]

Everytime I hear this song I have a goosebumps. Beautiful and meaningful lyrics for every Polish.

[NewEarthTV]

"Rota, " written by Maria Konopnicka in 1908, is a striking anthem of defiance and patriotism that still resonates in Poland today. Imagine the context: Poland was divided and ruled by foreign powers, and Konopnicka wrote these words as a fierce response to Prussian attempts to erase Polish culture and language. The lyrics are a bold promise—almost a vow—that Poles would never abandon their language, heritage, or homeland, even under relentless pressure.

For someone hearing these lyrics now, their power is surprising because they speak to a kind of resilience and unity that feels timeless. Opening with, “We won’t abandon the land of our heritage, ” the song captures a collective spirit that refuses to yield. There's no hint of surrender—only defiance against the idea of losing identity. The powerful refrain, “So help us God, ” emphasizes that this is not just a protest; it’s an oath.

For modern listeners, the song can feel just as urgent as it did over a century ago, particularly given that it was once considered as Poland’s national anthem. Today, Rota is sung at patriotic events, a reminder of a time when simply speaking Polish was an act of resistance. Its enduring message captures the incredible resilience of the Polish spirit, reminding people of a history that, while distant, still feels surprisingly close.

[Magnic_]

Piast- The very first polish dynasty that unified the land and put us on the map.

Golden Horn- This can be a reference to angelic horns of the Apocalypse. You know, as in "we will move to where God will tell us and bring death" as in we are the tools of destruction. We were always extremely religious. Maybe there is someone who is more knowledgeable on this subject than me that will put more light on it.

[wmt]

Without knowing the history, it is impossible to understand why Rota sounds so strong and proud.

[Metriw]

Ród piastów - polska rodzina królewska która rządziła najdłużej w polsce

[KRIS_W]

Thank you for reaction. I was in Rome few monts ago, I love it! Greetings from Poland

[sarna]

Stara pieśń...Nieoficjalny drugi hymn Polski ❤

[kamratkazkrainyoz]

Jestem dumna z pochodzenia 🇵🇱🇵🇱🇵🇱🇵🇱🇵🇱🇵🇱🇵🇱🇵🇱

[TheFifthHorseman_]

1:33: The Piast dynasty, originating with the semi-mythical Piast Kołodziej (Piast the Wheelwright), was the first historically recorded royal dynasty of the Kingdom of Poland
3:21: Yes, the song talks about a war horn. In the time period this was written in, the horn was also presented as a sign for uprising and linked to the legend of the sleeping knights of Giewont (a Polish variation on the hero under the mountain folk tale) as a sign that would supposedly rouse them to fight for Poland.
5:06: The choice of Mazurek Dąbrowskiego as the anthem happened in the interwar.
7:13: "My Pierwsza Brygada" would probably be on top of that list. It competed with Rota to be chosen as the national anthem and is currently the anthem of Polish Armed Forces.

[ReeedetGry]

Dziękujemy za legiony!! Pozdrowienia z Polski

[ARBAS]

Wacław Potocki w XVII wieku, w Wojnie chocimskiej, zapisał: „Póki świat światem, nigdy Niemiec nie będzie Polakowi bratem”
Puki co się spełnia. Do dnia dzisiejszego włącznie.
Nie jestem jakimś turbopatryiotą, mam w rodzinie niemców.
A oni dalej myślą o nas jak o sile roboczej i niewolnikach.

[Kroma-dk]

Jako Polak jestem dumny z tego co stfożli nasi przodkowie 🫡🇵🇱

[adiwax]

The golden horn - a symbol encouraging the fight for national liberation, giving hope for a change in Poland's fate.

[PeakChaser]

Countries mentioned in the Polish anthem: Written in 1797 a few years after Poland lost its independence by Germany, Russia, Austria.
Sweden: mentioned negatively
Germany: indirectly mentioned negatively
Russia: indirectly mentioned negatively
Italy: Mentioned
France: indirectly mentioned positively