Бодайбо [Bodajbo] [English translation]

You have left for a short time,

God beware - that we meet again, -

But I have a freight-train - to the east,

And a mine in Bodaibo.

You are not going to cry and not going to wait,

You are not going to visit my relatives, -

Now I spit on it - I shall be hauling here

Gold for the country.

Everything is ending: Ceased have the noises of the wheels,

The sleepers are ending, the rails not ...

Alas, it´s now to wail for woe! It's a pity there are no tears

The tears endet after seven years.

Don't await me, agreed, god be with you, -

And if it's difficult for me - don't be sorry.

Just remember - god beware you that

Our paths crossing again!

The stretch of time has ended - I'll endure

And I'm given freedom anyway, -

But until then I shall sleep on the plank-bed in the zone, -

I shall endeavour to forget everything.

There the woods all around bend in the wind,

The blueness all around - what not to do!

Behind - seventhousand kilometres,

Ahead - seven years of blueness...

• Artist:Vladimir Vysotsky