Vladimir Vysotsky: Songs: Trans. by Bill Everett

Vysotsky's Lyrics: Translation by Bill Everett

Trip into the past
Where are you, wolves?

Source: Greatest Bard
All the rights are protected. Contact the author: bill@chgnet.ru


Where are you, wolves?
Russian title: Okhota s vertoletov
Like a razor, dawn slashed the eyes,
And triggers were opened like "open Sesame."
Speak of the devil! Shooters appeared,
"Dragonflies" flew up from the rotting river,
And the fun started up in full swing, in full swing.

We lay on our bellies and hid our fangs.
Even he, even he who dove under the flags,
Who sensed the wolf holes with his paw pads,
Lay down and froze in fear -- and weakened.

  I haven't heard that life should smile on wolves.
  In vain we love life, faithful unto death.
  And Death has beautiful teeth widely bared,
  They are healthy, large teeth.

    So smile your wolfish grins at the enemy,
    At the hounds with as yet unchewed up haunches.
    But on the snow tattooed in blood
    Is your picture: We're no longer wolves!

We crawled with our tails tucked up in dog-speak,
Raised tattered muzzles in surprise to the skies.
Either it's a retribution spilled on you from above
Or it's the end of the world -- and a twisting of minds.
Only they've hit you in full from the iron "dragonflies."

We got soaked with blood under a rain of lead --
We submitted, decided: All the same, we won't get away!
We melted the snow with our burning hot bellies.
This slaughter house was born not from God but from Man!
Fliers are caught in flight, fleers are caught in running.

  You dog pack, you can't mix in with my pack.
  In an equal mix-up, the luck is with us.
  We are wolves! Our wolf life is good.
  You're dogs, and your death is a dog's death!

    We smile our wolfish grins at the enemy,
    At the hounds with as yet unchewed up haunches.
    But on the snow tattooed in blood
    Is your picture: We're no longer wolves!

To the forest! I'll save at least some of you there!
To the forest, wolves! You're harder to kill on the run!
Hey, shake a leg, get a move on! Save the puppies!
I scurry and skelter under the eyes of half-drunk shooters,
Gathering together the strayed souls of the wolves.

The one who's alive was hidden on that shore.
What can I do alone? I can do nothing!
My fangs were blunted, my senses betrayed...
Where are you, wolves, the former forest beast?
Just where are you, my yellow-eyed tribe?!

  I am living, but beasts surround me now
  That never knew the calls of the wolves.
  They're dogs, our far-distant kin,
  And we used to take them as our prey.

    I smile my wolfish grin at the enemy,
    Bare my rotten stubs of teeth.
    And on the snow tattooed in blood
    Is your picture: We're no longer wolves!
    The picture melts: We're no longer wolves.
    It's our picture: We're no longer wolves...
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Trip into the past
Russian title: Oj, gde byl ya vchera
Oy, where I was yesterday - I couldn't find for the life of me!
I only recall there was paper on the wall,
Remember Claudia was there and her girl friend, too,
And in the kitchen I was kissing them all.

When I rose in the morning they let me know
That I cussed at the hostess, tried to lean upon all,
I mooned, I streaked, I shouted songs,
And I said, "My dad's a General!"

Then I tore my shirt open and beat my chest,
I claimed that everyone betrayed me,
And, so they say, I wouldn't let the guests alone,
Tortured them all with my prison songs, you see.

I finally stopped drinking, 'cause I got a bit tired -
Started to smash priceless crystal on the floor,
Poured wine on the wall, took the coffee service,
Swung opened the window and threw the service below.

I wouldn't listen to one word anyone could say,
But they found how to cope with me. All as one
They ganged up on me, tied up my hands,
And in general they all joined the fun.

Someone spat in my face, another poured vodka in my mouth,
And some kind of dancer kicked up his legs on my belly.
And a young widow, she's still faithful to her husband,
Why, we all live once - she took pity on me, really.

In the kitchen I went pale from my poor battered face,
I made it seem that really I'd given up, say.
"Untie me!" I cried. "It's all over now!"
They untied me, but they hid the forks away.

And then it really began - words couldn't tell -
Where I got such strength I'll never know!
I finally weirded out, like a wounded beast,
Beat out windows, the door, gave the balcony a blow.

Oy, where I was yesterday, I couldn't find with flashlight in broad day!
I only recall there was paper on the walls, yes,
And my face remains like real battlefield -
Well, where could I go with a face like this?

If all this is true - why, if even a third is -
All that's left is to lay down and die!
One good thing is the widow could live through it all.
She took pity on me, took me home to revive.
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