Which Polish national anthem begins with the words “Poland has not yet perished”?

Poland’s national anthem is “Mazurek Dąbrowskiego,” which begins with the words “Poland has not yet perished.”

Józef Wybicki wrote the lyrics in 1797 for Polish soldiers serving in the Italian Legion under General Jan Henryk Dąbrowski. The song originally encouraged hope that Polish independence could be restored after the partitions of Poland had removed the country from the map of Europe.

Its melody is based on a traditional mazurka, a Polish dance form. The song became popular among Polish patriotic movements and was officially adopted as Poland’s national anthem in 1927.

The anthem is also known in English as “Poland Is Not Yet Lost,” based on its opening line. It should not be confused with “Bogurodzica,” a much older religious hymn that served as an important Polish battle song before the modern anthem emerged.