. . . The spirited polka music reached out to his own people as well as to many nationalities precisely because it was folk music, the music of the people. It added greatly to the spirit and gaiety of the liturgy. It quickly captured a national audience. O La, O Lee O!
Father Charles P. Flynn of Duluth and Ireland
as quoted in Dancing a Polka to Heaven
Songs & Hymns from the Polka Mass
Presented by Father Frank Perkovich
Volume One with Joe Cvek, the Variables Orchestra, and the Choraleers
Volume Two with Joe Cvek, the Polka Massters, and the Perkatones
Volume One
1. The Angelus Češčena Si Marija - Traditional [3:01] 2. Chapel in the Valley L. Slak; lyrics - Fr. George Balasko [2:00] 3. Lord Have Mercy Ray Repp [1:08] 4. At This Sacrifice Plavi Oči - Traditional; lyrics - Mary Cvek [3:46] 5. We Offer Bread and Wine Traditional/Arr. J. Cvek; lyrics - Fr. George Balasko [3:02] 6. The Angelic Song Ray Repp [1:05] 7. Lamb of God Ray Repp [1:13] 8. Under the Skies of Blue Pod Mojern Okencem - Traditional; lyrics - Mary Cvek [3:08] 9. We Come To You, O Lord Traditional/Arr. J. Cvek; lyrics - Fr. George Balasko [3:03] 10. Adio Traditional; lyrics - Mary Cvek [2:19] 11. High Above The Clouds L. Slak/Arr. J. Cvek; Instrumental [2:43] 12. Iron Mike Polka J. Pecon/Arr. J. Cvek; Instrumental [2:14] Volume Two
13. Beloved Mother Serdeczna Matko - Traditional; K. Kurpinski
[2:10] 14. The Angelus Češčena Si Marija - Traditional; English vocal [2:23] 15. In My Heart Maja Dekla - Traditional; lyrics - Mary Cvek [3:09] 16. Above the Mountain Mountain Flower Waltz
Arr. J. Cvek & G.Hutar; lyrics - Mary Cvek[3:49] 17. Glory, Glory Tiha Noci - Trad.
Arr. J. Cvek & G.Hutar; lyrics - Mary Cvek[3:24] 18. Let Great Hosannas Ring Bleda Djeva - Traditional
Arr. J. Cvek & G.Hutar; lyrics - Fr. Perkovich[2:56] 19. We Praise the Lord Again Happy Accordian Waltz - Lozja Slak
Arr. J. Cvek & G.Hutar; lyrics - Mary Cvek[3:36] 20. Let the Son Shine In Bill Czuptia; lyrics - Fr. George Balasko [2:01] 21. Cheek to Cheek Polka Instrumental - Recessional [2:13] 22. Pecon’s Polka Instrumental - Recessional [2:19] 23. Hawaiian Polka Instrumental - Recessional [2:11]
Recorded by Sound 80, Minneapolis.
Recording Engineer for Volume One, Tom Jung; for Volume Two, Paul Martinson.
CD produced by Encore Productions, Minneapolis.
Photos
by Thomas-Leonard Studio in Eveleth, Minnesota.
Father Frank Perkovich’s inspiration to create a Polka Mass came from the Second Vatican Council’s emphasis on the vernacular in Catholic liturgy and from hearing a tape of Father George Balasko’s use of Croatian music in services for his Ohio congregation. With the help of Joe Cvek, leader of a popular Iron Range polka band, and his mother Mary, who composed lyrics, Father Perkovich’s idea of developing a Mass featuring the traditional Slovenian and Croatian music familiar to his northern Minnesota parishioners became reality. He celebrated his first Polka Mass on May 5, 1973 at Resurrection Church in Eveleth, Minnesota. Since then, the Polka Mass has not only been presented all across the Mesabi Iron Range and in the Twin Cities but also in many other states, including Alaska and Hawaii. In 1975, Father Perkovich’s Polka Mass traveled to Slovenia. In1983, it was performed at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II. It was also included in John Hanson’s 1984 documentary Wildrose. On June 25, 2006, Father Perkovich’s Polka Mass was celebrated as part of the 29th Annual Polkafest, held at Ironworld in his hometown, Chisholm, Minnesota.
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