The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

POLISH PROVERB

AS I OFFERED MYSELF, SO I WILL GO.

Submitter comment: THE ORIGIN OF THIS SAYING IS POPULAR. SUPPOSEDLY
THERE WAS A PILGRIMAGE
GOING TO THE SHRINE IN CZESTOCHSEVA, POLAND. THE GROUP
NEARS A STREAM THEY MUST CROSS. THE MEN PULL UP THEIR PANT LEGS AND
THE WOMEN PULL THEIR SKIRTS OVER THEIR HEADS, LEAVING THEIR SLIPS BENEATH,
IN ORDER TO CROSS. ONE WOMAN, BY MISTAKE, PULLED EVERY-
THING UP. WHEN THEY FINALLY CROSSED A MAN BEHIND HER CALLS OUT IN
SURPRISE, 'WOMAN, HOW ARE YOU GOING.(SIC)' SHE ANSWERS VERY FERVENT-
LY, IN REFERENCE TO HER INTENTIONS, 'AS I OFFERED MYSELF, SO I WILL
GO.' MY GRANDFATHER KNOWS THE SAYING AND STORY FROM POLAND.

Data entry tech comment: VERY CONCISE COMMENT, AND MEANINGFUL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSLATION