What's in a Prague street name

Originally published on Twitter on 11 August, 2022.

U Božích bojovníků was built in 1885.

Boží bojovníci are ‘warriors of God’.

Yes, we’re obviously talking about Hussites again. But today I get to compensate for that with music!

Ktož jsú boží bojovníci (written ‘Ktoz jsu bozi boyownici’ back in the day) / ‘Ye who are warriors of God’ was the Hussites’ song of choice during their wars.

Its authorship was unclear for centuries, although the discovery in 1872 of the Jistebnický kancionál, a collection of spiritual songs, indicated that the most likely composer was Jan Čapek z Klatov, a priest.

You can hear the song – and read a translation in the subtitles – here:

There’s also a version on YouTube with 1.1 million hits, but the singer is not somebody I want to promote. Feel free to look, but don’t say that I sent you.

Here’s an orchestral version at Prague Castle in 2008, commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Castle Guard.