Ямакаси [Yamakasi] [English translation]

[Stanza 1]

While, the First One was already in prison for those cameras

Together, we treated ourselves with herbal healing

When the Second One was also awaiting trial,

It was the same stuff - various cables and cameras,

But those two had been tight from childhood

Who would've thought something like this would happen

They lived on opposite banks of the same river channel

The Fourth One's parents like races in Monte Carlo

The Third One lives in a simple ratty apartment

And had always been the embodiment of the streets for me

What a shame!

Who made them watch that stupid film "Yamakasi"? (1)

Who showed them that people can climb walls like that?

Rubber shoes from Puma were put to use finally

And towards the GUM shopping center sharpened their skills; (2)

Skateboards underfoot, rucksacks across their backs

They took off into the Moscow night, and came back only after sunrise

The Fourth One was sent to serve in the Air Forces

The Third One ended up rapping with me

We could spend hours sitting on that roof

Subsisting on smoke, kefir and writing something (3)

I remember his early-morning calls:

"Guf, tell me what I ought to change in this stanza?"

I'd thought: well, another half a year, maybe a year,

And we'll blow up for sure, well, he sure will

It's no surprise that bread was needed

When the Fourth One was on leave

A 5 in the morning in Read Square the police froze

When those cameras fell out of the backpacks.

[Chorus]

Friendship! Do we even need this idea?

Maybe to understand for the hundredth time that a friend is capable of betrayal

Probably we need it, since friendship teaches not only to betray,

but also to forgive.

Friendship! Do we even need this idea?

Maybe to understand for the hundredth time that a friend is capable of betrayal

Probably we need it, since friendship teaches not only to betray,

but also to forgive.

[Stanza 2]

But the Third One immediately took all the blame

The cops beat him bad: broke his ribs and the collarbone

The Fourth One's father, frightened for his baby,

Sent him off back to the military far away from the capital

The investigation lasted a while, the cops were put under investigation too

Neither side was in a hurry

At this point, the First One was set free

In no time at all, a year passed

The Second One sighed with relief

Got a job in video surveillance

The court date kept being pushed back

And suddenly - 3 and 4

The Third One stuck his tongue out at the judge

And winked at his dad

And almost started crying when he saw his mom in tears

The Fourth One after a couple of months ended his military service

And came back all dressed up in his military uniform

Like, look at me, I'm a hero, for me it was tough

And we can't understand where the Third One is: in the taiga or in the tundra

The first letter came after 7 months

The poor rapper was sent all around Russia

He was out early - after serving a year of his sentence

But the Third One had changed

This is not the same freedom as it used to be!

And everyone is blaming this army-boy,

Everyone!

Except the Third One

[Chorus]

[Outro]

Life stories, small bits of memories

• Artist:Guf