Polish knights sang and chanted the hymn after victory in battle, presumably to one of the Gregorian melodies associated with the Eucharistic psalm O Salutaris Hostia on which it is based.

[2] The author of the anthem is the first Polish composer in music history known by name, the poet Vincent of Kielcza, OP, a Cracovian canon and chaplain of Bishop Iwo Odrowąż.

For a long time he was mistakenly called Vincent of Kielce,[3] and he wrote the hymn to commemorate the canonization of Saint Stanislaus.

The poet decided to describe the life and accomplishments of Bishop Stanislaus and the miracles which occurred after his death, which people had been speaking of for almost two centuries.

Some sources say that the inspiration for the melody was the anthem to Saint Dominic, Gaude Mater Ecclesia ("Rejoice, oh Mother Church"), having its roots with Italian Dominicans.