Бери шинель, пошли домой [Beri shinell, poshli domoy] [English translation]

Well, you and me are both foot soldiers,

The spring is better than late fall1.

We are so done with any fighting, [x3]

Let’s grab our trench coats and go home!

The war has punished us and tortured,

But now this war will meet its end.

Four years our mothers missed their children, [x3]

Let’s grab our trench coats and go home!

Let’s meet the soot and ash of street ruins,

Another trip for us, my friend,

The missing starlings are returning, [x3]

Let’s grab our trench coats and go home!

But you will sleep with your closed eyelids,

Enshadowed by a plywood star.

Get up, get up, my fellow soldier, [x3]

Let’s grab our trench coats and go home!

What I would say to your own family?

How could I meet your widowed wife?

Or should I swear on bygone era? [x3]

Let’s grab our trench coats and go home!

We are the wartime foolish children,

Regardless of the army rank2.

Another spring has come to visit, [x3]

Let’s grab our trench coats and go home!

1. "summer" and "winter" in the original2. this line in the original is about "a general and a private", another metered version would be: "All generals and privates are"

• Artist:Bulat Okudzhava