Pictured - The singing of Gorzkie Zale at The Tomb Below the Church, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, on Good Friday, 2008

The Bitter Lamentations - Gorzkie Zale
Finding their origin in the medieval mystery play, the Gorzkie Zale were first conducted as a religious service in Poland in 1707.  There is nothing to compare in any other Christian land.  Usually sung on Sunday afternoons and Friday evenings of Lent, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, the Bitter Lamentations consist of three parts each containing: a Hymn which considers the Passion and Death of Our Lord, a Lamentation which expresses sorrow for sins, and a sympathetic conversation of the soul with Mary.

The Gorskie Zale are sung at Most Sacred Heart each Sunday during Lent at 1:15PM after the conclusion of the 12:15PM Polish Mass.  

Here are a few stanzas of the introductory hymn, in English. (The second line of every stanza is repeated when sung.)

Bitter sorrows, deep and renting,
Pierce our hearts in great lamenting.

Fill our eyes with tears of anguish,
Make our souls in pity languish,

As the Savior's death we ponder
With compassion, grief and wonder:

Touch our hearts, O Christ, most holy,
With compunction, strong and lowly.

Through thy passion, borne in meekness
Free us, Lord, from sin and weakness.

Following thy painful paces,
May we share thy passion's graces.

Click on the links below to see two video clips of Gorzkie Zale being sung in a public square in Poland... Be sure to turn up your sound!

http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=qhwasX5pvXs

http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/dd272/baegira/?action=view&current=gorzkie.flv

back to did you know?