Famous Poles die - your memories

Ernest Bryll, a prominent poet, died at 89. I liked his poetry in 1980s cos it offered hope that communism would be defeated one day.

Besides, he wrote poems which later became lyrics to songs composed by famous groups - big beat, rock, pop, folk etc.
Here is one important poem he wrote in late 1970s - The Psalm of People Standing in a Queue, later turned into a song performed by a popular singer of the time - Krystyna Prońko. Very short but impressive.



What is this queue for?
For dreariness, for dreariness, for dreariness
What are you waiting for in this queue?
For your old age, for your old age, for your old age
What will you buy when you reach the counter
Tiredness, tiredness, tiredness
What will you bring home?
Stony doubt, doubt

Be like a stone, stand, endure
Someday these stones will shake
and fall like an avalanche
Through the night, through the night, through the night

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Nice song, I remember it, it's a wonder they didn't ban it then.

It was banned in communist media. Prońko had performed it at patriotic concerts till the martial law on 13 Dec 1981.

I was fortunate to have met Ernest in the early 2000s. He was a brilliant man, poet, and Pole. His home was so inviting and open that you couldn't help feeling welcome there. He is going to be truly missed.


Great translation! Thank you!

Thanks but there is always a bigger and better fish. :):): E.g,, stone can be replaced with a rock and an avalanche with a rockfall.