If the vodka could be drunk just by one man, How great it would be! But the vodka is always shared by two, And the pack of cigarettes is always shared by three, That means what should one have? A cradle and a grave. From morning till morning We sang songs long ago. And from our neighborhood Everybody left their separate ways, Forever, who went where, For many, many years. Some say, that a wife has been made for one, That’s how it’s been since ancient times! But a wife can be shared by two, And she can also be shared by three, That means what should one have? A cradle and a grave, I suppose... From morning till morning We sang songs long ago. And from our neighborhood Everybody left their separate ways, Forever, who went where, For many, many years. How many guys are living in our house? How many are living close by? How many bums are singing my songs? How many will go to prison? Forever, who’ll go where, For many, many years.
© Nathan Mer. Translation, 1991