80th Anniversary of Vladimir Vysotsky, Soviet (!) poet, actor, bard.

[Balu]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtjzVievnXQ

By the cliff, along the precipice, up to the edge
I lash my horses with the whip, - hurrying on, -
Too little air to me, I drink wind, I swallow fog
I feel, in a fatal ecstasy – I’m dying, I’m dying!

A little more slowly, my horses, a little more!
Do not listen to the snaps of whips!
But my horses are so capricious
I didn’t have time to live, I won’t have time to sing to the end!

I shall water my horses, I shall sing this verse to the end, -
Just a little bit longer I will stay on the edge! ...

I’ll vanish, like a flake, the hurricane will sweep me off the palm,
And, on the sledge, at a gallop, they will take me away through the morning snow.
Please, ease your pace, my horses!

Just a little, extend my journey to the last shelter!
A little bit slowly, my horses, just a little bit more!
Don’t let knout and lash ruling over you!
But my horses are so capricious,
I didn’t live out my life, I won’t finish my song!

I shall water my horses, I shall sing this verse to the end, -
Just a little bit longer I will stay on the edge! ...

We’ve come in time – one should not arrive late at God’s palace.
Then, are angels there singing in such a malicious voice?
Or is it the harness bell that sobs and weeps?
Or am I yelling at my horses, not to carry the sledge so fast?

A little bit slowly, my horses, just a little bit more!
I beg you, don’t rush at full gallop!
But my horses are so capricious,
I didn’t have time to live, but at least I shall sing to the end!

I shall water my horses, I shall sing this verse to the end, -
At least, still for a moment, I’ll stay on the edge!...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O75JLzbiNM&feature=youtu.be

[Balu]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5R_lxfXlyQ


Vladimir Vysotsky
Song about the Earth

All to ashes is turned! Is it yet
Never seeds in the Earth will be thrown?
Does it mean that the Earth is stone-dead?
No, - it waits for the time of its own.
Motherhood of the Earth will remain
The way seas cannot be bailed out!
And the Earth will be fruitful again
Spite through sorrow it’s black all around.
Trenches-slits to the Earth cause a pain,
Craters-wounds it has bravely to bear,
Bare nerves of the Earth under strain
Weird suffering being aware.
It will stand, overcome everything,
Don’t enroll it to cripples, do not smear
And allege that the Earth does not sing,
That it has quitted singing forever!
Yes! It rings, dulling pain, out of all
Wounds and cuts, and the moans tries to drown,
For the Earth is our mutual soul,
Soul by boots cannot be trampled down!

Do not think that the Earth is deceased!
No, - it waits for the time of its own…