Песня о звездах [Pesnya o zvezdakh] [English translation]

This bitter fight I will always recall:

Death made the air appalling.

And from the skies, like a silent rainfall,

Stars were falling.

Here comes another one, I make a wish:

To stay alive through the fighting.

That’s how I foolishly got my life linked

With a star sighting.

I have concluded: the worst is now passed,

And I’ve survived through the scrimmage,

But a stray star has descended so fast,

Right through my ribcage.

We have been told: “We need this damn hill!

Don’t save your ammo, soldiers!”

Look, there’s a second star rolls downhill,

Right on your shoulders.

Stars in the skies just like fish in a pond,

Should be enough for all people.

If I survived, then today I would jaunt:

Also a Hero.1

I would present this star to my son,

Just for remembrance.

There’s an idle star sits in the sky -

Nowhere to land to…

1. The title Hero of the Soviet Union was the highest distinction in the Soviet Union. Recipients of the title were also awarded with the Gold Star. However, this medal was not normally issued for posthumous awards of the title.

• Artist:Vladimir Vysotsky