Polskie pieśni pielgrzymkowe i kalwaryjskie
Polish Pilgrimage Songs

Summary/Abstract: The paper describes songs performed by pilgrims on their way to sanctuaries and during their stay there, presenting them as a specific genre of texts. In the first part of the paper, the author discusses the way pilgrimage songs were understood in earlier works. Furthermore, he proposes their new definition, referring to these elements of the texts which demonstrate the specific context in which the songs were performed. In the second part of the paper, the author analyses in detail textual signs which indicate various activities undertaken by pilgrims and refer to the stages of their journey. Finally, he focuses on the functions of pilgrimage songs and analyses them in the context of Victor Turner’s theory of ritual process. The conclusion of the analysis is that in a broad perspective, the main function of these songs was to create certain behaviours and ways of thinking, as well as to protect and stabilise the fundamental social structures which were temporarily loosened or suspended during pilgrimage.

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