The Values of Sacrum and Sanctum in the Lyrics of Polish Religious Songs after 1945

The article presents an overview and analysis of a research study of the repertoire of Polish religious songs after 1945. The article aims to present how the religious values of sacrum and sanctum are realized in them through the medium of linguistic and musical means of expression. The author also examines the categories of religious poetry as proposed by Maria Jasińska-Wojtkowska, and considers religious songs as multi-faceted acts of auto- and social communication. A phenomenological perspective adopted by the songs encourages holiness and acts of goodness through the pursuit of God – the supreme value. The article is an original text. Its goal is to demonstrate how the religious values of sacrum and sanctum are realized through the medium of linguistic and musical means of expression in Polish religious songs created after 1945. The author considers religious songs as multi-faceted acts of auto- and social communication. The methods employed by the author are analysis of song lyrics, as well as analysis of selected aspects of the musical component of the songs. The main results are as follows: the analyses reveal that the lyrics of the religious songs are imbued with the values of sacrum and sanctum, expressed through the choice of topics, the words and phrases used, and a type of poetics specific for sacrum. As a consequence, the songs provide vessels for religious values. Moreover, the structures of the songs are such that they include, as their inherent components, the author and the addressee of the values of sacrum and sanctum. The results of the analyses may be employed further as a basis for continued research, in particular in the following areas: reception of religious songs; practical applications of the reception of religious songs, both in pedagogical work and in the context of child education and socialization, especially in terms of religious upbringing and education. The songs encourage holiness and acts of goodness through the pursuit of God, the supreme value. The article also explores the social impact religious songs have on an individual’s attitude to the world and interaction with the religious community. The article’s original contribution consists mainly in the research perspective it applies to the analyses of the research material, i.e. the author’s hermeneutic and phenomenological approach. Moreover, the article’s strong point lies in its comprehensive treatment of songs as both literary and musical works.