I didn’t drink or sing that night, I stared at her with all my might. Like children stare, like children stare. But the one who’s been with her before Yelled out at me "You better go!" Yelled out at me "You better go, You’ve no prayer!" And the one who’s been with her before Was rude and wouldn’t let it go; But I remember, I was still sober, I started walking towards the door, She asked me "Stay a minute more", She asked me "Stay a minute more, the night’s not over." But he who’s been with her before Did not forget me, I am sure, And once in autumn, and once in autumn... I’m out walking with my bro, I saw them standing in a row, I saw them standing in a row, there were eight of ’em! And so I think, I’ve got my blade, You’ll never take me, just you wait! I’ll show you bastards! I’ll show you bastards! Why should I die without a fight? I was the first to strike that night, I was the first to strike that night, and that was justice. But the one who’s been with her before, He cooked this plot up, I just know. I’ve thought it over, I’ve thought it over. When someone struck me from behind Varyuha screamed: "Watch out, Might!" Varyuha screamed: "Watch out, Might!" But it was over. To my eight woes just one reply, And in the slammer where I lie, There also surgeons, there also surgeons. The doctor sliced me left and right, All he could say was: "Hold on tight", All he could say was: "Hold on tight", And I was holding... All in a glance the years flew by. She didn’t wait, and didn’t try, But I forgive her, I do forgive her. I did forgive her, that’s for sure, But he who’s been with her before, but he who’s been with her before, Is not forgiven. I did forgive her, that’s for sure, But he who’s been with her before, With him who’s been with her before, I will get even!
© Stanley Altshuller. Translation, 2002