VLADIMIR VYSOTSKY (1938-1980)
I am pretty sure the name of O.Henry, a famous American writer is known by everyone. In his short stories he invented a literary device which is called “the effect of deceived expectations”. From the beginning the plot development prepares a reader for one sort of ending but in the very last paragraph, or even sentence, something absolutely unexpected happens, which paradoxically contradicts the readers’ anticipation. The same technique was used by Vladimir Vysotsky in his songs.
See for yourself! Here goes my translation of such a song performed by Michael Ohlsson from Sweden.
A SPELLBOUND WORLD
Here firs their paws, softly trembling, protrude,
Here birds whistle calmly and lightly …
You live in a spellbound magical wood,
From which an escape is unlikely.
Cherries dry in the wind, which is heartless and rude,
In this wind blooming lilac is chilling …
All the same I will take you away from this wood
To a palace where reedpipes are trilling!
Some wizard one day on your world put a spell,
It’s locked and I can’t get in there;
And you are convinced that this world’s nice and swell,
You think, it’s without compare!
On the grass in the morning there is no dew,
Skies are dizzy with clouds in motion …
All the same I will come and I will carry you
To a mansion that faces the ocean!
And when comes the day, when the hour comes
You’ll leave that abode of a fairy,
And I’ll take you quickly away in my arms
To where no porters can carry!
I’ll steal you — sometimes stealing isn’t too bad!
I can’t wait any longer in tension!
Are you ready for Eden with me in a shed?
Someone’s captured both palace and mansion!
Performance
Translated by George Tokarev
© GEORGE TOKAREV 2001
Audio Video
PARADOXES IN SONGS
Audio Video