I had over forty last names, I had seven passports, too, I was loved by seventy women, I had nearly two hundred foes. But I do not pity. No matter how I strived, No matter how I tried, I thanked many people, With them I drank vodka. I always believe in justice, For example in our Soviet people, But no one will build me a monument Somewhere near Petrovsky Gates. But I do not pity. No matter how I strived, No matter how I tried, I always wanted to fight, But found no one. And I sing songs about dramas, About the lives of inmates and thieves, You won’t find my name on billboards, Advertising the popular singers. But I do not pity. No matter how I strived, No matter how I tried, I would always get caught And be sent to jail. And though my task was long and of value, And though I really earned some acclaim, No one will write an obituary on my death In the newspaper s last page. But I do not pity. No matter how I strived, No matter how I tried, I would always get caught And be sent to jail. And I get wounded so much in my life - Well, it must be the bitter fate. But still, my profile will never be on coins, Instead of the Soviet flag. But I do not pity. Then why should I strive? Then why should I try? To tell what is what, I must first have a drink.
© Nathan Mer. Translation, 1991