The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

POLISH LEGEND

THE DAUGHTER OF PRINCE CRACOW, WANDA, THREW HERSELF INTO THE
VISTULA, PREFERRING TO DROWN RATHER THAN MARRY THE GERMAN PRINCE
RUDIGER. AS THE PEOPLE MOURNED THEIR PRINCESS, RUDIGER, DEPRIVED
OF HIS COVETED PRIZE, TURNED HIS ARMY FROM THE CITY. THUS CRACOW
WAS SAVED FROM THE GERMANS BY WANDA'S SACRIFICE, AND THE STORY OF
HER HEROISM HAS LIVED THROUGH THE AGES. THERE IS STILL A FOLK
SONG SUNG ABOUT HER:
WANDA IN POLISH EARTH LIES DEAD,
WHO WOULD NOT A GERMAN WED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE FARMS