Kniazia Jaremy nawrócenie [English translation]

The Cossack populace shakes scared

Their hair stands up in fear

Prince1 Jarema converts

Wants not the Orthodox faith

Bad feeling chokes the chests

To peasants - priests2 and icons

And he - the sovereign3 lord of Rus'

Draws the princedom closer to the Crown

Twenty years his spirit slumbered

Until Roman Cross awoke it

Prince Jarema, Prince Jarema!

Shall be terrible for his children

The Ruthenian lords are upset:

"Look into your soul, my liege!

For you give everything for naught

And you destroy us with politics!"

The futility of their pleas

The prince prostrated all the night

"Who loves me shall go with me

Or shall be lowered on a stake!"

Twenty years his spirit slumbered

Until Roman Cross awoke it

Prince Jarema, Prince Jarema

Bloody Rus' shall bring to God!

"You shall not enter humbly

Into royal antechambers!"

"Zaporozhzhia shall burn in flames

Your heritage shall go up in smoke!"

"More than heritage, I want a homeland

More than homeland, I want salvation

Cast, for the sake of Christ's scars,

Generations into fire!"

Twenty years his spirit slumbered

Until Roman Cross awoke it

Prince Jarema, Prince Jarema!

Shall kindle the flame of ravenous souls

"Blood on you, not titles!"

Contempt for the prince of Rus'!

"We, for the Commonwealth

No better than nails to be clipped!"

"Should they try it, they will suffer

For I'll hide behind the Cross!

The crown's men shall see

A Wiśniowiecki4 on the Polish throne!"

For heart's comfort, let us mention

He lies now, buried, beneath glass

Prince Jarema, Prince Jarema!

The father of impaled children.

Prince Jarema, Prince Jarema!

Neophyte to politics.

1. The word "kniaź" refers only to Eastern princes (Lithuanian, Ruthenian, Russian, etc.)2. The word "pop" refers exclusively to Orthodox priests.3. This refers specifically to domains of district duchies that have been relieved of the fealty towards the duke.4. Jarema's dynasty.

• Artist:Jacek Kaczmarski