Górecki’s Church Songs, based on melodies from Rev Jan Siedlecki’s Spiewniki Koscielne (‘church songbooks’), were composed in 1986. This edition is based on the PWM edition of 2013, which was produced with the assistance of Anna Górecka and Mikolaj Górecki. A special feature of the Boosey publications is the new, alternative Latin sung text by Edward Tambling, which will be attractive to the many choirs who do not wish to sing in Polish. The Latin text is carefully crafted to fit Górecki’s score and is both poetic and sensitive to the devotional aspect of the songs. English translations from the Polish are also included, for reference only. The three publications present the songs for sacred use according to devotional subject-matter. In concert performances the songs, or a selection of them, may be performed in any order and combination. Vol 1 contains six songs in praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The seven songs in vol 2 take the themes of Good Friday, the Crucifixion, The Cross of Christ and the Resurrection. Vol 3 contains seven songs in praise of St Joseph, St Anne and St Nicholas, the Blessed Sacrament, the Trinity and the Black Madonna of Czestochowa.

Zdrowas badz Maryja (I) / O virgo Maria / Hail Mary, Lily of Heaven - Idzmy, tulmy sie jak dziatki (II) / Sicut parvi amplectamur / Let us embrace like little children - Zawitaj, Pani swiata (VI) / Veni, o mater terræ / Come, Lady of the Earth - O Matko milosciwa (IX) / O mater semper alma / O loving Mother - Pozdrawiajmy, wychwalajmy (X) / Nunc avemus et laudemus / Let us greet and praise the Holy Virgin - Tysiackroc badz pozdrowiona (XII) / Ave, carmina milia / Hail, many thousand times, Mary - English literal translations of Polish texts