I went blind from the smiles of the songsters, I went deaf from a non-stopping clap, I am tired of musical monsters - Each one chewing the same old crap. Many years I heard shrieks about the moon; Wishing peace and missing silence yelled one goon; One big-shot would play the saw - madness ramified, But I amplified, I amplified, I amplified... Rectified through my fibers, my body, Pure sound flew into your ears. Stop! At last there’s a guy who’s not shoddy, It’s for him I was tortured for years! Yes, his voice is as sharp as a saber; Yes, his voice outweighs all the pelf! He will prove that he’s fit, brave and able, And with him I will show myself! Now he’s starting, he took off the coat, He’s perspiring, he is all wet; I stretch out my microphone throat To his face which is golden from sweat. But his song is so sugared, so candied... Man, recover! You’re wasting your chance! You must be more courageous, more candid! People, tell him to shut up at once! He continues with this goddam litter, I am swaying, I nearly fall... And this syrup - emetic and bitter - He still pours into my poor soul. Many years I heard shrieks about the moon; Wishing peace and missing silence yelled one goon; One big-shot would play the saw - madness ramified; But I amplified, I amplified, I amplified... But his song is so sugared, so candied... Man, recover! You’re wasting your chance! You must be more courageous, more candid! People, tell him to shut up at once! You may blame me for being too patient, But your nature you cannot disguise - Amplifying is my occupation, So I suffered but amplified lies! Well, I groaned, the speakers would howl, And he strangled me, red in the face; I was screwed off - he needs no row, With another mike I was replaced. But his song is so sugared, so candied... Man, recover! You’re wasting your chance! You must be more courageous, more candid! People, tell him to shut up at once! This new mike will ignore all the bothers, With false notes it meekly complies; We are always replaced with the others When we start to oppose the lies! In a toolbox, at night, I was told By a tripod, my neighbor and kin, That he simply was shining like gold After I was removed from the scene.
© George Tokarev. Translation, 2001
Edited by Robert Titterton