This article contains a hermeneutical analysis of two songs by Karol Szymanowski referring to the symbolism of the nightingale in European culture: ‘Słowik’ [The nightingale] from the cycle Pieśni księżniczki z baśni [Songs of the fairy princess], Op. 31 and ‘Słowisień’ from the cycle Słopiewnie, Op. 46 bis.