VLADIMIR VYSOTSKY
(1938-1980)
In the last month issue of this magazine I showcased an outstanding Russian bard Vladimir Vysotsky and one of my translations of his songs. Now the Western audience may deepen its acquaintance with this unique singer-songwriter.
Vysotsky’s basic occupation was acting. He was a movie and theater star. This circumstance couldn’t but reflect in his songs. Here the author deletes the border line between himself and the song character and acts out the life of his lyrical hero. Vysotsky doesn’t sing the song but plays it as if on stage. In his concerts he would never say: “Now I will sing you a song” but he used to say : “ Now I will show you a song”.
This time I am presenting the translation of the second song from the criminal cycle “He, who was with her before”. The whole song is a series of comprehensive scenes ready for a film shooting. It has a clear-cut plot which is evolving with every new stanza. But what is more important - we witness the character development when every new stanza adds a new feature to the heroes of the song – a mean coward on the one hand and a noble, chivalrous and brave lad on the other, though both belong to the underworld.
Here is my translation of the song, performed in English by an American artist 'Andy the Doorbum'
“He, who was with her before”
- Vladimir Vysotsky
I neither drank nor sang that night,
I gazed at her with all my might,
As kids would stare, As kids would stare.
But he, who was with her before,
He said to me: ”You’d better go.”
He said to me: ”You’d better go,
Your prospect’s bare.”
And he, who was with her before
Was rude and crude to me and more ...
I can recall it — I wasn’t boozy!
When I made up my mind to quit
She said to me: ”Please, wait a bit.”
She said to me: ”Please, wait a bit,
I ain’t too busy!”
But he, who was with her before,
He met me later on that fall — The lane was narrow,
Eight men would block it.
My friend and I were only two
When they emerged out of the blue,
When they emerged out of the blue — Hands in the pockets!
Upon my life! I got a knife,
It’s gonna be a deadly strife!
Hold on, you bastards, Hold on, you bastards!
Why should I perish all in vain?
I pounced first and then again,
I pounced first and then again — Had to be faster!
But he, who was with her before,
Resented ending in a draw,
He really meant it, - He really meant it!
Somebody clubbed me. Shrieked my mate :
“Look out!” But it was too late,
“Look out!” But it was too late, - In blood I weltered.
Stay on your trail and never wail —
There is a hospital in jail,
There I was dying, - There I was dying ...
They cut me up from heel to eye,
The surgeon said: ”Try not to die!”
The surgeon said: ”Try not to die!” - And I was trying.
Our parting passed in seconds flat,
She failed to wait till I came back,
But I forgive her, exonerate her ... By her betrayal I set no store,
But he, who was with her before,
But he, who was with her before— I’ll see him later!
Translated by George Tokarev
© GEORGE TOKAREV 2013
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