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 had two sources: the Second Vatican Council’s emphasis on vernacular liturgy and a tape of Father George Balasko’s use of Croatian music 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 Perk’s vision of a Mass featuring traditional Slovenian and Croatian music became reality. His first Polka Mass was celebrated on May 5, 1973 at Resurrection Church in Eveleth, Minnesota. Since then, the Polka Mass has not only been celebrated all across Minnesota's Mesabi Iron Range and in the Twin Cities but also in many other states—including Alaska and Hawaii. In 1975, Father Perk took the Polka Mass to Slovenia and in 1983, to the Vatican for Pope John Paul II; John Hanson’s 1984 documentary Wildrose also includes a Polka Mass. On June 25, 2006, Father Perkovich’s Polka Mass was celebrated at the 29th Annual Polkafest, held at Ironworld in Chisholm, Minnesota, his hometown.