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Dla M

Varius Manx · 1994

A haunting, atmospheric pop ballad by Varius Manx, sung by Kasia Stankiewicz. From the 1994 album "Emu", it is one of the most emotionally affecting Polish songs of the 1990s — the lyrics explore the mother–child bond, the pain of growing up and apart, and deep gratitude for a life given.

Lyrics & Translation

Polski English
Verse 1
Wydałaś mnie na ten świat tak dziwny Mamo, lepiłaś mnie z koronkowych słów Mamo, odchodzę dziś, wiedziałaś, wiem Tak smutną masz twarz Lecz teraz ja na świat siebie wydać mam
You sent me into this strange world Mama, you shaped me from lace-like words Mama, I'm leaving today, you knew, I know Your face is so sad But now I must send myself out into the world
Chorus
Chyba jestem teraz inna Może trochę sama Może trochę dziwna Jednak swoją siłę mam
I think I'm different now Perhaps a little alone Perhaps a little strange But I have my own strength
Verse 2
Pamiętam jak czasem było trudno Mamo, mówiłaś mi: wszystko ma swój kres Mamo, czasami też płakałaś, wiem, zrobiłam coś źle Lecz teraz ja na świat siebie wydać mam
I remember how hard it sometimes was Mama, you told me: everything has its end Mama, sometimes you cried too, I know, I did something wrong But now I must send myself out into the world
Final chorus
Chyba jestem teraz inna Może trochę sama Może trochę dziwna Tylko muszę znaleźć siebie Chyba jestem teraz inna Może trochę sama Noc nie będzie zimna więcej Gdy on obok śpi
I think I'm different now Perhaps a little alone Perhaps a little strange I just need to find myself I think I'm different now Perhaps a little alone The night won't be cold anymore When he sleeps beside me

  • Vocabulary

    • wydać na świat — to bring into the world / give birth (wydałaś mnie = you brought me into the world)
    • lepić — to shape / mould / knead (lepiłaś = you shaped)
    • koronkowy — lace-like / delicate / intricate (koronkowych słów = of lace-like words)
    • odchodzić — to leave / depart (odchodzę = I am leaving)
    • kres — end / limit / boundary (swój kres = its own end)
    • siła — strength / force (swoją siłę mam = I have my own strength)
    • znaleźć siebie — to find oneself (muszę znaleźć siebie = I need to find myself)
    • obok — beside / next to (on obok śpi = he sleeps beside me)

    Grammar note

    The song uses the same verb twice for mirrored acts: "wydałaś mnie na świat" (you brought me into the world) and "ja na świat siebie wydać mam" (I must bring myself into the world). The reflexive siebie instead of mnie marks the shift from passive child to independent adult. "Mam + infinitive" (wydać mam) is an archaic/literary construction meaning "I must / I have to", adding a sense of destiny. Note also: "zrobiłam coś źle" — źle is an adverb (wrongly/badly); the standard construction would be "coś złego" (genitive adjective), but the adverbial form is common in colloquial speech.

    Cultural context

    "Dla M" is from the album "Emu" (1994) by Varius Manx, a pioneering Polish new-age and pop group. Vocals by Kasia Stankiewicz. The title "Dla M" (For M) is deliberately ambiguous — "M" most naturally stands for Mama, making the song an intimate letter from a grown child on the verge of independence. The final lines, revealing a partner sleeping beside her, quietly show she has already stepped into that new life. It became one of the most beloved Polish ballads of the decade.

    Intermediate popclassicculturelisteningemotional

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