GORALU CZY CI NIE ZAL

Goral, never regret,never forget, the pastures, the land that you left, the land of your beginning. Goralu czy ci nie zal. I am dumbfounded at my absence. Absence from a heritage that has been calling from my youth. I recall many times, wondering why. I still do wonder. I have some comfort now though. Goralu czy ci nie zal. I've said before that my Mom, and her siblings, never really knew where their folks were from in Poland. Only to reminisce and tell us that my Grandmom said,"Mom always said, that my Father was a mountain man!" How right they were. Embracing my heritage has been an experience. An unfinished experience,but an experience none the less. Consider that having the opportunity to reflect on ones heritage can be a daunting task, I have found peace and tranquility. While I may be in my middle years, and by that I mean that it's taken me this long to address this wonderful realization about my Highlander roots, I have been foolish to wait so long. Life in America has been a good one. I obviously have no other place to compare to. Not even Poland and Ukraine, my Galician make up. What I can say though, is that to adhere to the Goral way, is a good way. It is not simply a way of going about your daily routine and enriching yourself with all of whatever pleases you, but more of a "What can I do that would not only help us, but would help all!" Many young Poles came to America prior to the first world war. Some, even to fight for human rights in the Revolution. Were it not for Thaddeus Kosciusko, there would be no West Point and perhaps no America. This young Pole was the foremost tactical engineer of this monumental struggle and a friend to colonists. They would never forget. Lest we. I would encourage anyone to investigate the life of Kosciusko, he was truly a remarkable man with a genuine purpose and spirit whose entire life was spent advancing the cause in the name of liberty for people of all races and creeds getting nothing in return but the satisfaction of doing what was right and proper. Below you will find the lyrics for todays title in both Polish and a rough English translation. The reason is for reflection and thought. When you read it you will realize the sadness that one might have to leave the homeland out of necessity and not necessarily desire. Pictured, my Grandfather Joseph Planiczka, the first Goral from our family to arrive in America in 1904. The next photo, A Goral horseman today in Dolina Chocholowska.




Polish Lyrics:Góralu, czy ci nie żal,odchodić od stron ojczystych,Świerkowych lasów i halI tych potoków srebrzystych?
Góralu czy ci nie żal? Góralu wrycaj do hal! Góralu czy ci nie żal? Góralu wrycaj do hal!
Góral na góry spoziera,I łzy rękawem ociera,I góry porzucić trzeba,Dla chleba, Panie, dla chleba.
Góralu czy ci nie żal? Góralu wrycaj do hal! Góralu czy ci nie żal? Góralu wrycaj do hal!

English Translation:
Highlander, don't you feel sad? To leave your native lands,From the green forests and meadows and the silvery streams?
Highlander, don't you feel sad? Highlander, return to the meadows! Highlander, don't you feel sad? Highlander, return to the meadows!
The highlander gazes back to the mountains and wipes away a tear with his sleeve,because he must leave the mountains,for bread,for bread.
Highlander, don't you feel sad? Highlander, return to the meadows! Highlander, don't you feel sad? Highlander, return to the meadows!

A SYMBOL

A symbol of tranquility. A symbol of frailty. A symbol of remembrance. A symbol of gratitude and thanks. The Cross of Jesus passed down from Jan Planiczka to son Maciej, to grandson Jozef,displayed in the family home until this day. The bell tower, a chapel and multi purpose structure in remembrance of those who founded and went forth from this small Galician hamlet. I am one from the fourth generation. With tranquility I look upon this structure in awe. In awe for what it means. This structure, a replacement for the original which burned down of unknown means, replaces the original which stood for centuries. For centuries it stood as its purpose intended. To protect and warn of immanent danger approaching. Many small towns in southern Poland,Slovakia and Ukraine have similar structures. They too have similar meaning. For me, I take solace and experience the warmth of my heritage. Knowing that Jan Planiczka along with Anna Gawlak his bride,my Great-Grandmother, brought forth not only a family, but contributed to building a culture of comfort, fortitude,compassion, unquestionable dignity,faith and the ability to persevere. This brings me to tranquility. I would hope this would effect you in the same way.

I haven't written in a few days. I want you to know, that I would like to continue and have every intent to do so. Circumstances as they are,have prevented me. The loss of Sally,our very best friend, to breast cancer,Vinnie a humble man and great friend, of yet whose death cause is unknown,and my cousin Tommy, a free spirited individual with a bright mind and wit. This was and is sad.

Life indeed is fragile. We do continue though. From my earliest documentation, I know that we are a frail people. As descendants we do move on with the rest of mankind though. We have seen many family pass. Yet our heritage continues.

Four Hundred years. Koniowka, Jan Planiczka, God Bless