That night, I didn’t drink, I didn’t sing - I stared at her and didn’t blink, As though a child, as though a child But he, who’s been with her before He told me, I should simply go, He told me, I should simply go, I’d face denial! And he, who’s been with her before He talked so coarsely and he swore But I remembered - I wasn’t drunk then And as I tried to walk away She told me, "What’s the hurry, stay!" She told me, "What’s the hurry, stay, It isn’t late yet!" But he, who’s been with her before Remembered and did not let go And once in fall, and once in fall I’m with my friend, they blocked our lane They stood together in a chain, They stood together in a chain - Eight men in all With me - my knife and I decide I won’t go down without a fight Watch out you fools! Watch out you fools! Why should I wait to be submersed? And so, I chose to strike them first And so, I chose to strike them first Those were the rules. But he, who’s been with her before He planned and plotted a fierce row, Severe and grave, severe and grave Right from behind, someone attacked And Johnny warned me, "Watch your back!" And Johnny warned me, "Watch your back!" It was too late. For all eight sins - one resolution A prison clinic - my conclusion I lied there flat, I lied there flat The surgeon cut across and down He told me, "Man, just hang around!" He told me, "Man, just hang around!" I did just that! The time flew by during my term She did not wait for my return But I’ve forgiven, her - I’ve forgiven Yes her, I surely do condone But him, who’s been with her before But him, who’s been with her before I won’t be leaving Yes her, I surely do condone With him, who’s been with her before With him, who’s been with her before I will get even.
© Andrey Kneller. Translation, ?