Stenka Rasin

Words and Music by : Russian Folksong
Arranged and adapted by:
Publisher:  

Recorded by
Helmut Lotti 525805-2, 72435-94941-2


Russian lyrics:

Na pjerjednjem Sten`ka Rasin
obniavshis sidit s kniazhnoi
Svad`bu novuiu spravliaiet
on vjesyolyi i khmel` noi

Pozadi ikh slyschjen ropot
Nas na babu promjenial
Tol`ko notch`s nei utro baboi stal

Etot ropot i nasmjeshki
slyshit groznyi ataman,
i mogutschjeiu rukoiu
obnjal pjersiianki stan

Volga, Volga, maz rodnaia
Volga russkaia reka
Nje vidala ti podarka
ot donskovo kazaka!

Mosjtchnim vzmakhom
podnimaiet
on krasavitsu kniazjnu

I za bort ié yo brosaiet
vnabjezjavschuiu volnu

Tschjto zjhvi, bratsy, priunyli?
Ei, ty, filka, tschjort, pliashi!
Grianjem piesniu udaluiu
na pomin ié yo dushi!

English Lyrics:

From beyond the wooded island
To the river wide and free
Proudly sailed the arrow-breasted
Ships of Cossack yeomanry.

On the first is Stenka Razin
With his princess by his side
Drunken holds in marriage revels
With his beauteous young bride.

From behind there comes a murmur
"He has left his sword to woo;
One short night and Stenka Razin
Has become a woman, too."

Stenka Razin hears the murmur
Of his discontented band
And his lovely Persian princess
He has circled with his hand.

His dark brows are drawn together
As the waves of anger rise;
And the blood comes rushing swiftly
To his piercing jet black eyes.

"I will give you all you ask for
Head and heart and life and hand."
And his voice rolls out like thunder
Out across the distant land.

Volga, Volga, Mother Volga
Wide and deep beneath the sun,
You have never such a present
From the Cossacks of the Don.

So that peace may reign forever
In this band so free and brave
Volga, Volga, Mother Volga
Make this lovely girl a grave.

Now, with one swift mighty motion
He has raised his bride on high
And has cast her where the waters
Of the Volga roll and sigh.

Now a silence like the grave
Sinks to all who stand and see
And the battle-hardened Cossacks
Sink to weep on bended knee.

"Dance, you fools, and let's be merry
What is this that's in your eyes?
Let us thunder out a chantey
To the place where beauty lies."

From beyond the wooded island
To the river wide and free
Proudly sailed the arrow-breasted
Ships of Cossack yeomanry.