AAudio Video
VLADIMIR VYSOTSKY (1938-1980)
HISTORY IN SONGS
Vladimir Vysotsky' s songs are often called the encyclopedia of the Soviet life - so true and exact was the picture of the current social and spiritual life of the country he happened to live in. His songs were the mirror of society. That was his uniqueness as an artist.
Can anyone, listening to the marvelous Beatles or no less marvelous Deep Purple, understand or imagine the everyday reality in the UK? (perhaps only a tiny glimpse of it in "Taxman" where George Harrison complained about the unfair taxation in England)?
Vysotsky's songs were woven with current events and developments. With all that, he often dived into history. He wrote songs about Stone Age, ancient Rome, Medieval Europe, the epoch of Renaissance.
Here I am presenting my translation of the song about the Trojan War. This time Vysotsky is sharing his vision and interpretation of the myth about Cassandra - a prophet woman who predicted the awful destiny of Troy. The song is performed by Melissa Reaves (USA).
ABOUT CLAIRVOYANT CASSANDRA
Besieged by Greeks, Troy many months did not surrender,
And it remained for long an undefeated town ...
But had the Trojans only listened to Cassandra —
Troy would never have collapsed and fallen down!
When darkness came and from the horse Death fluttered out,
And Troy was captured by this ruthless, deadly master,
Somebody cried among the bleeding, battered crowd:
“To kill that witch — she has invited this disaster!”
That night of massacre, of turmoil and disorder,
When all the prophecies came true and blood was chilling,
The mob was ready to commit another murder,
Mobs never think too long before they get to killing!
Cassandra’s end was not that tragic — you will sneer,
Some hungry greedy Greek discovered her abode,
And started using her at once not as a seer,
But as a woman in a very common mode!
Non-stop the maid was yelling, mad and raucous:
“I plainly see that Troy in dust and ruins lies!”
But people always burn, like locusts, those who forecast
And bear witness which disturbs complacent lives!
Translated by George Tokarev
Performance
Melissa Reaves (USA).
Translated by George Tokarev
© GEORGE TOKAREV 1981
Audio Video
HISTORY IN SONGS