Песня о сентиментальном боксёре [Pesnya o sentimental'nom boxere] [English translation]

A blow, a blow ... another blow ....

Again a blow - and see

Boris Butkeyev (Krasnodar)

Carried out an uppercut.

There he pressed me into the corner,

Where I scarcely missed being hit,

See an uppercut - I am on the floor,

I am not feeling well.

I thought Butkeyev smashed my jaw:

And life is good, and life is good!

At the counting to "seven" I'm still lying -

My countrymen sob.

I stand up, dive, stretch -

And I get points.

Thats's not true, it seems like I am

Keeping my strength back till the end, -

To beat a man into the face

I couldn't do since childhood.

I thought Butkeyev smashed my ribs:

And life is good, and life is good!

On the tribune they whistle, on the tribune they howl:

"Get at him, he is a coward!"

Butkeyev forced me to a close combat -

And I pressed against the ropes.

But he cucceeded - he is a Sibirian,

They are persistent,

And I told him: "Freak!

You are tired however - get a rest!"

But he did not listen - he breathed,

That to live is good, that life is good.

And he beat on and on - healthy devil! -

I see: there will be a calamity.

Boxing nevertheless is not a row, it's a sport

For the courageous and so on.

He hit again, twice, thrice -

I ... am lacking in strength,

The referee raised my hand,

With which I did not beat.

He lay and thought - that life is good.

For some it is good, and for some - damn all.

• Artist:Vladimir Vysotsky
• Album:1966