Песенка о пехоте [Pesenka o pekhote] [English translation]

Forgive the foot soldiers

For acting so often with so little sense…

We always must go

When spring on the earth goes wild, so intense…

Our step is uneven

Down shaky old stairs… There is no escape,

And only white willows,

White sisters, are watching as you walk away.

Trust not skyey waters

When it’s raining heavily day after day.

Trust not the foot soldiers

When they’re making merry and singing so brave.

Trust never, trust never

When in our gardens the nightingales yell:

The score is not settled

Between life and death, and no one can prevail.

We learned from the epoch:

Remain at the ready, keep open your door.

Oh man, oh my fellow,

Your job is alluring regardless its toll!

Warpaths are your roads,

And only one thing keeps you sleepless and tense:

Why have you to go

When spring at your back goes wild, so intense?

Where have you to go

When spring on the earth goes wild, so intense…

• Artist:Bulat Okudzhava