Buddies gave me a target In the outskirts where No lights ever burn - just at dawn darkness ends. Breaking into that house, I will get stuff to share, I will get lots of dough for myself and my friends. But at night people sleep and I hate to disturb Folks who set off to work in the morning, I am all for my mob, but to go and rob Napping people I have no yearning! Buddies said that an actress living there alone, That her home’s not protected, very easy to break; That she has tons of money, gold and precious stones - Later on all these riches at the races we’ll stake. But at night people sleep and I hate to disturb Folks who set off to work in the morning, I am all for my mob, but to go and rob Napping people I have no yearning! Buddy Mishka was saying That she’s got lots of savings. That is strange: our actors, as a rule, are not rich. "But her lover’s a colonel, - Mishka said, - that’s the kernel!" He was so convincing, he persuaded me, bitch! But at night people sleep and I hate to disturb Folks who set off to work in the morning. Good, I’ll get on the job and I’m going to rob Though I hate any heist when it’s dawning! My fiasco’s been pure - she is seedy and poor! All her stones are bogus and the colonel is gone! And this lady appears To be stricken in years. And forever I’m shamed that I disturbed her at dawn! But at night people sleep and I hate to disturb Folks who set off to work in the morning, I am all for my mob, but to go and rob Napping people I have no yearning!
© George Tokarev. Translation, 2004
Edited by Robert Titterton