Saturday, December 1, 2018

Obyś miał Błogosławiony Adwent!

Obyś miał Błogosławiony Adwent!

We would say "May you have a blessed Advent!"  This is "So that he had (a) blessed Advent."

Obyś = so that (with a hopeful connotation);
miał = 3d person singular, past tense of mieć, to have.


So Dad would tell this joke about a guy who walks into a bar with a cat.  In Polish he says "This cat can talk."

"Baloney," say the others.

"Yes, this cat talks.  Buy me a drink and I'll prove it,"  he says.

After suitable joshing and offering of toasts, the others demand the proof.  The cat is just sitting there on the bar.

In due time, silence is achieved; the guy puts down his glass, turns to the cat, and addresses this question to him in a clear, serious, and respectful manner:  Miał Piłsudski wąsy?   (General Piłsudski he had whiskers?)


And the cat promptly and enthusiastically replies, Miał !!

Isn't that just the greatest joke ever?

All right, all right, Obyś miał Błogosławiony Adwent!  On this First Sunday of Advent, we begin preparation for the upcoming Nativity through examination of conscience, reflection on the past twelvemonth, forgiveness, and tidying up of affairs spiritual and temporal. This is also a fitting time to recall the Annunciation, celebrated as a feastday every April but recalled now.  The first hymn in the hymnal is therefore Archanioł Boży Gabryjel.  That 12/19/17 post includes various performances in Youtube video, as well as my amateur translation of five verses.

Here is the Spiewnik kościelny, ("Songs of church," hence sacred songs, hymns) in format for a church organist. This volume belonged to our JPZ.

12" x 8"


Wielbij duszo moja Pana I would give as "My soul adore my Lord."

First hymn of the Liturgical Year

Here is another performance off the tubes.  Sopranos sing a cappella with very clear diction.  They repeat verses 1 through 4 several times.


What I find satisfactory is listening to the above performance while following verses and translations in the 2017 post Archanioł Boży Gabryjel. 

Archangel Gabriel, Luca Signorelli, c1450-1523
Obyś wszyscy mieliście Błogosławiony Adwent!  (May you all have a blessed Advent!)






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