Chléb ë Mòdrôkë
| English: Bread and Cornflowers | |
|---|---|
| File:LecistanCOA.png | |
Unofficial anthem of File:LecistanFlag.png Lecistan | |
| Lyrics | Ôla Szagórska |
| Music | Andrzéj Kùmiéga |
Chléb ë Mòdrôkë (English: Bread and Cornflowers) is a famous Lecistani protest song and an unofficial anthem of the Second Lecistani Republic, one of the three states involved in the Second Lecistani Civil War. Contrary to popular belief, Piesniô Lekkëbã- not Chléb ë Mòdrôkë- is the official anthem of the Second Republic.
History
Andrzéj Kùmiéga wrote the tune of Chléb ë Mòdrôkë in 1877, amidst the Kùmiéga Revolution; Ôla Szagórska added the lyrics in 1916. The song's anti-monarchist and socialist imagery saw it banned under the Grand Duchy of Lecistan, though many republican groups and protesters continued to use it in defiance of the ban.
Cultural influence
Lyrics
| Lec original | English translation | |
|---|---|---|
| First Verse | ||
| Jak ma marszëwac, marszëwac, w słunijasna dzén, Miliony dómów cemnié, tësãcy fabrikë mùsk, Dlô cknãc prôcowników ù òdpùscënk słunice, Dlô Lekkëbô czëc më spiéwac, chléb ë mòdrôkë, chléb ë mòdrôkë! |
As we go marching, marching, in the sunlight of the day, A million homesteads darkened, a thousand factories grey, For the workers are touched by light of the sun of liberation, For Lecistan hears us singing, bread and cornflowers, bread and cornflowers! | |
| Second Verse | ||
| Jak ma marszëwac, marszëwac, białka w rãk z chłop Dlô w leno solidarnosc ë słësznosc bëc ma dobëc! Nasze rzëji nié morzna ù tyrônta srogi czëde jesz! Dlô Lekkëbô ani ùmierac! Dôwac chléb ë dôwac mòdrôkë! |
As we go marching, marching, woman is in hand with man For only in solidarity and equality we will win! Our days shall not be sweated for a cruel tyrant again! For Lecistan shall not starve! Give us bread and give us cornflowers! | |
| Third Verse | ||
| Jak ma marszëwac, marszëwac, ma spowodac jasni czas Dlô pòrénkac panistwò znaczy roztrzaskac wiezy! Nié eszczi ból czôrny, ale słësznosc ë wòlnosc, Ë dzielac rzëcié chwałi! Chléb ë mòdrôkë, chléb ë mòdrôkë! |
As we go marching, marching, we bring the brighter time For the rising of the nation means the breaking of our chains! No more suffering in darkness, but instead equality and freedom, And a sharing of life's glories! Bread and cornflowers, bread and cornflowers! | |
| Fourth Verse | ||
| Jak ma marszëwac, marszëwac, dlô prawa prôcowna, Lekkëbë beczec bez gardë, swój stôri becz chléb! Dlô repùblika robòtnika pòrénk, ë pilowac cenczki ë niezdarni. Jo, òno chléb më biôtkòwac, ale më biôtkò mòdrôkë térz! |
As we go marching, marching, for the worker's rights, Lecistan is crying through her cities, her ancient cry for bread! For the worker's republic shall rise, and protect the weak and hopeless. Yes, it is bread we fight for, but we fight for cornflowers too! | |
Symbolism
Bread is a major foodstuff in Lecistan, as in much of Esquarium, and its usage in the lyrics represents hope for an end to famines, unemployment, and other misfortunes, and the rise of a society where all Lecistanis would be prosperous and able to provide for themselves and their families.
Cornflowers are traditionally a symbol of love in much of Esquarium; in Lecistani folklore, the rate at which the color fades from a cornflower picked by a woman in a relationship represents the vitality of her relationship. Cornflowers thus represent fraternity between the peoples of Lecistan. The line "it is bread we fight for, but we fight for cornflowers too" is often considered among the most powerful aspects of the song as a result, as it states that the Lecistani people do not speak only liberty and prosperity, but fraternity as well. Due to the prominence of the song within Lecistan, however, cornflowers have lost their status as a symbol of romance for many, instead becoming a symbol of protest or defiance.
The song makes repeated references to large numbers of people living in similar conditions ("a million darkened homesteads, a thousand factories gray") or acting in unison in response to these living conditions ("as we go marching, marching, woman in hand with man") to emphasize a populist message of a future for all aspects of Lecistani society, which is itself also emphasized in the lines in favor of gender equality and the creation of a republican government that would protect worker's rights.