Angst hangs from me like a stone, Pulling me into a whirlpool Why do words hurt me so easily lately? Because, nearby Gypsies have set up camp And make my soul restless in the evenings. The poplars are singing like strings La-la-la-la, la-la, la-la-la-la... And the whole earth vibrates like a guitar La-la-la-la, la-la, la-la-la-la... I’ll drown my longing and angst in the river, I’ll steal at least one night. There in the steppe, fires are blazing. The flames beckoning me I’ll tear the shirt on my chest And the soul in my heart to pieces! Just play for me gypsies Today, I will drink myself down to the last ruble La-la-la-la, la-la, la-la-la-la... Let the gypsy girl sing me mischievously La-la-la-la, la-la, la-la-la-la... Everything dormant in me the strings will awaken, Everything overgrown with weeds Will bloom with flowers Kind people will forgive, Let the uncharitable condemn me I’m staying to live with you, gypsies. The noose will not have the patience to wait for me La-la-la-la, la-la, la-la-la-la... Pour forth song onto the fields like rain With the gypsy refrain "la-la-la"...
© Michael Dubrovsky. Translation, 2022