Песня о друге [Pesnya o druge] [English translation]

If of sudden the friend has turned

Not a friend, nor a foe, just- so,

If at once, you don't understand,

Is he just for a ride, or good friend,-

Drag the guy to the peaks-take a risk!

Do not leave him behind to climb,

Tied to one rope with you on the cliffs-

There you'll know, who he is.

If the guy on the heights-is uptight,

If at once limp becomes and- runs,

On the glacier foot and- drooped,

Stumble near ravine- and scream,-

Well, next to you then- a strange man,

Do not scold him, though- let him go:

Those ones are not taken up there, and here

Of those don't sing.

If he didn't complain, nor whine,

Though he was angry and sullen, but- climbed,

And when you slipped from the cliff,

Though he groaned, but- held on,

If he follow you, in the fight,

And to stand on the summit excites,

Then, as on yourself, it seem,

Rely always on him.

• Artist:Vladimir Vysotsky