The Gypsy Song
Lyrics and music by V. Vysotsky
Through my dreams - a blinding light,
And a voice is moaning
Not tonight! Please not tonight!
I’ll be fine come morning.
But the morning’s just as bad
All the fun is over
Choking on a cigarette
Toasting my hangover.
In the tavern - pain on ice
Venison in season
Fools’ and beggars’ paradise
And my wide-open prison
In the church it’s damp and grey
Candles glow like rubies
No, the church is not the way
Not the way it should be
Up the hill, no time to stop
Better safe than sorry
There’s an alder up on top
And down below a cherry
Drape the slope with moss at least
Make it look less shabby
But everything’s the way it is
And not the way it should be
Way across the river shadows loom
God, where are you hiding?
In the meadows bluebells bloom
And the road is winding
Woods are deep around the bend
Full of witches lurking
And if you make it to the end
There’s a hangman smirking
Horses prancing far away
Beautiful and bashful
It’s all wrong along the way
And in the end especially
Well you can drink or you can pray
Won’t do you any good
No, my friends, it’s not the way
Not the way it should be.
Comments
irma
February 8, 2010 at 10:30 pm
I like the song very much
keiko
February 10, 2010 at 3:55 am
I’ve been listening to Vysotsky for years, without understanding the words. Now I’m trying to understand his songs I have. I’m Japanese. But unfortunately I can’t find the translations of the songs I have in Japanese. So I have started to find them in English, and found your page. Thank you! Your translations are very clear to me and I feel I’m reading poems.
I really appreciate your work.
admin
February 10, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Thank you Keiko - It’s flattering to know my translations have traveled as far as Japan - I am glad you find them helpful
ILYA
May 13, 2010 at 9:14 am
Your translate haven’t refrain. In original text that was somethig like this : ” Ah, one time, and one more time, and so many, many times…” I’m not a translator, sorry. Maybe must be invent somethig here? (imho)
admin
May 17, 2010 at 9:04 am
Ilya, you are right - Since the refrain does not really have any meaning, just standard Russian foik saying, I decided to leave it untranslated on purpose, to give the song more of an ethnic feel
Oleg
June 2, 2010 at 4:52 am
Brilliant, I give you maximum kudos for talent! I am a huge fan of Vladimir Vysockiy, I am sure he would have been impressed with your work. My favourite songs are: “Погоня”, “Горезонт”, “Вокруг 500″, “История Болезни” & “Ошибка вышла” I hope as time wears on you will consider translating these as well - I love&know by heart the Russian versions, but your interpretation is a joy to hear as well. Best wishes from Riga, Oleg
admin
June 2, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Thank you, Oleg - I will certainly consider those songs (actually, I am not sure I even know a couple of them, so I will have to look them up)
Oleg
June 5, 2010 at 4:41 am
Hi Mika, still lovin’ your site!
Here’s an interesting site i found that may help with Russian lyrics (actually, if you stop at .com, you can find some lyrics in other languages as well): wysotsky.com/1049.ru/000.htm
here you can find the words to most of the songs I mentioned such as “Очи черные-I. Погоня”. If you really enjoy a challenge, why not try “Песня о вещем Олеге” or “Две судьбы” they are also available on the afore-mentioned site. These songs utilize a lot of archaic words, deep metaphors and slang… I would consider the latter of the two especially difficult to bring to life in English…
Best wishes on your future endeavours!
Oleg
Olga Martin
August 22, 2010 at 9:05 am
Thank you!
Olga Martin
August 22, 2010 at 9:12 am
You are wonderful!
Alexander Amelkin
September 3, 2010 at 1:28 pm
May I suggest you translate “Баллада о любви” and “Баллада о борьбе” by Vysotskiy? I believe these two are excellent songs and are easily understandable by any person in the world, provided they are translated as good as you do it.
admin
September 5, 2010 at 10:44 am
Thank you, Alexander - I will definitely look at those songs, and see if I can identify with them and manage to do them justice
Anna
September 14, 2010 at 4:25 pm
I join to Alexander wish regarding translation of Love Ballad. That’s one of the most beautiful songs by Vysotsky. No doubt you would do this excellently.
admin
September 14, 2010 at 10:34 pm
I’ll have to take a better look at that song, and see if I can do it justice - Thanks for your comments
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