“Matka”
composed by Reynold D. Philipsek 2018 copyright Zino-Rephi Music (BMI)
guitars-reynold
accordion-Denny Malmberg
Both of my parents passed on in the past few years. Suddenly I realized I had neglected to appreciate my heritage.
My paternal ancestry came from Upper Silesia and more specifically a city in Poland called Opole.
Quite rightly they settled on homesteads with other immigrants in Central Minnesota close to a township called Opole.
I also have Bohemian and Czech roots.
When I was growing up I heard Polish spoken. My maternal grandmother was born in Poland and spoke little English. Many words were also very similar in Czech.
“Matka” for example, means mother in both languages.
As a kid I was not interested at all by this cultural treasure.
I was wrong.
My new album “Picture This” pays homage to this heritage in several ways. “Bohemian Flats” (the opening track of the new album) refers to a low-laying region of Minneapolis which at the turn of the 20th century became a “little Bohemia” and was occupied by Czechs, Slovaks, Bohemians and Poles.
By 1950 this area was extinct.
“Silesian Mist” (another song on the new recording) refers to the Upper Silesia connection I have previously mentioned.
This attempt to retrieve my heritage is not a gimmick. It is an honest attempt to reconnect.
I regret the arrogance of my youth. I felt almost embarrassed by the fact that my folks spoke what was referred to as “broken English.”
I didn’t ask any questions and ran away from this heritage which now I wish I would have embraced.
Maybe it is a case of too little to late but I want to make amends.
Since this song is entitled “Matka” I can’t help but thinking of Evelyn (my mother.)
I am joined on this little bolero by my friend Denny Malmberg on accordion.
link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN6fxu7HxWY