Королевна [Korolevna] [English translation]

I sang of the gods and sang of the heroes

Of clanging sword blades and of gory battles

Until the falcon mine stayed on with me

His squawking to me was instead of prayers

And now it’s a year since he flew away

He was carried off by a witchy snow gale

Buddy so dear abducted by blizzard

That came in from distant strange lands

Since then I’m not my real self

And crying are the gulls in heaven

Discerning my true face in haze

Could only be for eyes of gentian

I wish I could see with falcon eyes then

Soar up high on falcon wings then

There, in far falcon ruling strange lands

And not in dream but somewhere nearer

Turn into my soul, falcon,

Give us, time, wind into wings then

Every night I dream I’m flying

High over ice fiords, mile after mile on

Sleeves yours in delicate silk, Princess Royal 1

Heather of white is broidery for hills

Never have I been there for certain

If granting I have, then it brought ills on me

I should call back what has happened

Not to you and not to me there

I am tossed like fallen leaves,

The soul of mine becoming restless

In moonfuls, you pay for ballads you hear 2

Like some other pay me in hard gold money

Far into lands all shrouded in winter

You’re prettier than, you’re prettier than

Than spring come alive and the thrill of summer

Wake from slumber, Princess Royal

Dress yourself in feather plumage

We’ll soar up with you in tempest

Thin as ice are your sublime wrists

Sleeves yours in delicate silk, Princess Royal,

Gold of bright is stitch for feathers

With a laugh, I’m soaring up heaven

With no trust in me up there

Why don’t you come closer to me,

Let me touch your feather plumage

Every night I see the alp ridge

Every morn I lose my visage

Sleeves yours in delicate silk, Princess Royal,

Heaven skies with the crescent in gold braid

Please, deliver me, northern snow gale

To the land of throe and tall tale

It hurts to know that all has happened

Not to you and not to me, woe!

Time did never halt to peep at

What’s behind the wood laced window

It was you, my sweetie, I dreamt nightly ‘bout

Though you’re clad in a mantle of sorrow

Yet, I’m sure to sing you for a goodbye

But will leave your home, but will leave your home

But will leave your home with the first aurora

Somewhere far your dreams traverse, Princess Royal,

Is it long till spring for grass immemorial?

What I’m left with is repeating these two words,

Why, such a small bit

Wake from slumber, Princess Royal

Dress yourself in feather plumage

I should know that all has happened

Not to you and not to me here

Hurtful is your mercy to me

Just like arrows o’er bow-strings

In moonfuls you pay for the tunes

Like some other in gold

I’d give up on all to be ever with you

But what if you are, but what if you are

But what if you are not at all in this world

Princess Royal…

1. Королевна = Princess Royal is the king's eldest daughter, heiress to the throne. As an endearing name in Russian reveals love and respect at the same time 2. the moon as a symbol of silence and estrangement, i.e. You respond to my songs with silence and indifference

• Artist:Melnitsa