The melody is likely based on an earlier song called " Ułani, ułani " or influenced by the Romanian march " Treceți, batalioane române, Carpații! ".
“Nie noszą lampasów, lecz szary ich strój,Nie noszą ni srebra, ni złota,Lecz w pierwszym szeregu podąża na bój,Piechota, ta szara piechota.” Śpiewnik Niepodległości szara_piechota
Credit is often given to Leon Łuskino , a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Polish Army, though some sources attribute the lyrics to Bolesław Lubicz-Zahorski . The melody is likely based on an earlier
Often misinterpreted as a symbol of modesty, the "grey" simply referred to the standard regulation color of the legionary infantry uniforms at the time. Often misinterpreted as a symbol of modesty, the
Translation: "They wear no stripes, but their garb is grey, / They wear neither silver nor gold, / But in the first row they march to the fight, / The infantry, that grey infantry." Key Symbolism
The song highlights the pride and sacrifice of the "grey" soldiers who lead the charge into battle.