The song is: “Not For Me.” I’ve listened to it on YouTube many times, and finally decided that I must attempt a version of the lyrics in English. It is an extraordinarily popular song with Russians. Why is that so?
Russia is a country bitterly acquainted with what happens to the lives of people because of war, how war reaches into our most intimate thoughts, feelings, loyalties, emotions and destinies, and to a great extent into the lives of the young.
I’ve often thought: Yes, they were so young, and never had a chance to live full lives, to see what they would have seen had they survived.
“Not For Me” is a precious song for many people: My version is only an impression. A link to a performance by Viktor Sorokin and the Kuban Cossack Chorus is linked below the lyrics:
NOT FOR ME
A version of a Russian song
Not for me will there be spring,
Not for me Don’s current rushing,
Young girls’ hearts unhindered sing
Love’s ecstasy – but not for me
Not for me will gardens grow
Nor will the valley’s blossoms show,
Nor song bird greet the winds that blow,
It will sing – but not for me
Not for me the humming torrents
Flowing diamonds of the currents,
There the maiden spreads her ringlets,
Rises up – but not for me
Not for me the Easter seat
Where at the table dear ones meet,
Christ is Risen! – voices greet
The joyful day – but not for me
Not for me will flowers bloom,
The rose unfold her fragrant bosom,
To pluck a flower you may come –
It will be spring – but not for me
But now for me the bullet’s wail
That makes the tender flesh turn pale,
The bitter tears, the warmth that fails,
O brother dear – they wait for me
Pavel
January 11, 2013
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