Журавли [Zhurabli] [English translation]

Time is now ripe and I see flocks of cranes

in the sky flying by

I cannot fly away

Humans, like birds

also dream of the sun, for the light they strive

My stay makes me feel afraid.

Refrain

Will you carry me, birds, to the sky?

Please comply!

Warmed by the sun light,

you find it easy guiding

you find it easy riding

you find it easy gliding

Your distant calling

makes all my senses boiling

And in my dreams I’m trying

To rise to the sun flying

with you cranes.

The sun’s grown dark,

and the cranes are all gone,

Frosty days have arrived

blocking the roads with snow

Blizzards will sing their sorrowful songs

day and night

And make me feel blue and low.

Refrain

Flying your way to the warmth of the day, yes, you are, lucky birds

Please, don’t you let me stay!

I cannot help feeling lonely and low, missing home,

simply day by day

Refrain

• Artist:Willi Tokarev