'The Independent Music Show Magazine' July 1, 2025 | Page 27

VLADIMIR  VYSOTSKY (1938-1980)

WEATHER IN MUSIC 2

The famous English proverb states: “East or West – home is best!” Vladimir Vysotsky in his song proves the truth of this old saying. Though at the very last moment he begins to hesitate – is it really so? If we could only know for sure…

Here goes my translation of the Vysotsky song “Cold days” performed by Bobby Ray Rankin (USA).

ssion. Craving for freedom makes you invincible!

COLD DAYS

When it’s cold we may

Feel a traveling zest –

Other cities attract us away.

Fly to Kiev or Brest

When it’s cold we may.

There must be a cause

Why we eagerly run

To new places from homely chores,

Kind of, there’s more fun …

There must be a cause.

Homes warm us and yet

Ill at ease we remain,

We still long for new friends to be met,

Seems, they can heal the pain

We alone would get.

Though the visits we pay,

Make us happy we are

Coming back, feelings in disarray,

Where is our star?

Here or far away?

Translated by George Tokarev

Performance

Bobby Ray Rankin

Translated by George Tokarev

© GEORGE  TOKAREV  2001

Audio Video

Weather IN SONGS