Бессонница [Bessonnitsa] [English translation]

[1]

I haven't slept for 30 years

I've spent 20 of them studying and 10 - drinking booze

I'm like a fish in water, I've been there and I know

That I'll end up either on the bottom or in a fish soup

I haven't slept for 30 years

I was counting sheep, planets, or money in other's pockets

But sleeping is death

And I wanted to earn for a living so badly

[Transition]

I haven't slept for 30 years

I was looking for the Holy Grail or a clean glass

I was trying to write

But the line was running away from me like from fire

I haven't slept for so many years

To at least understand and get closer to the goddamn cosmos

To reach the sky with my hand

And slightly touch it with the tip of my nose

[2]

I haven't slept for sure, but I've seen a ship

And us flying in cryosleep

The stars were floating around

And were falling like the first show

We were flying further, everything

That had been important on Earth became meaningless

I was dreaming about you lying beside me

And watching dreams about me

[Chorus]

Is it insomnia, is it nonsense?

Maybe we need a good sleep

Maybe we are sleeping and all of that is a dream

And time is flowing into empty eye sockets

Is it insomnia, is it nonsense?

Maybe we need a good sleep

Maybe we are sleeping and all of that is a dream

[3]

I

I've spent 30 years sleeping

I've been wasting them slowly

And that's how I entered my 31 in a cap and pajamas

With a household registration of a hobo

And an impressive list of things I'm not good at

I want to sing

I want to sing so badly, but it's so hard (it's so hard)... with a rubber ball in my mouth

[Transition]

Life is a song, and the chorus is soon

I know it for sure

Since life is a song, a dumb predictable cover

Of a cover of a cover

Life is like a film, a short one

Filmed by amateurs on a penny budget

Sleep is like a film, a dumb cheap remake

Of a remake of a remake

[4]

I've been sleeping for 30 years

I've seen sharp-toothed incredible beasts

And as if stuck waist-deep in jelly

I couldn't run from them or hit them

Do you know how it happens in a dream?

I don't know what happened while I was gone

My nap lasted for so many goddamn years:

Isn't it time to wake up?

[Chorus]

Is it insomnia, is it nonsense?

Maybe we need a good sleep

Maybe we are sleeping and all of that is a dream

And time is flowing into empty eye sockets

Is it insomnia, is it nonsense?

Maybe we need a good sleep

Maybe we are sleeping and all of that is a dream

[5]

I'm awake

I'm in a corner

I don't know why

I'm crying, I don't like the kindergarten so much

The memory is fading, I'm falling asleep

I'm awake, I'm playing the guitar

In a concert hall to pass the exam

Sweat is running down my body sides, I'm gonna get a C or an F

I'm falling asleep

I'm awake, we've just started

But the electrical discharge came too soon, awkward

The first sparring is crumpled, the first sex of hopes and worries

I'm falling asleep

I'm awake in a hospital, there are needles in my heel

I'm doubled up from pain

I'm falling asleep

I'm awake, I'm on a marathon, oh no

I'm falling asleep before I die

I'm awake, it's 8 am

The children don't wanna go to the kindergarten, "stop screaming"

The rivers of tears, I hesitate

Such a bitter feeling, I'm falling asleep

Every time I fall asleep, I feel fear

Since I don't know where I'm going to wake up or whether I'll wake up at all

I set the alarm clock on waves and palm trees

It's set, I just hope it won't run out of charge while I'm asleep

[Chorus]

Is it insomnia, is it nonsense?

Maybe we need a good sleep

Maybe we are sleeping and all of that is a dream

And time is flowing into empty eye sockets

Is it insomnia, is it nonsense?

Maybe we need a good sleep

Maybe we are sleeping and all of that is a dream

Is it insomnia, is it nonsense?

Maybe we need a good sleep

Maybe we are sleeping and all of that is a dream

And time is flowing into empty eye sockets

Is it insomnia, is it nonsense?

Maybe we need a good sleep

Maybe we are sleeping and all of that is a dream

[Outro]

Morning, go away and close the curtains behind you

I'm not alone, you see, and we're not going to wake up soon

Scrambled eggs, a tube, and instant coffee are waiting for us

My cosmos has finally met its Tereshkova* (Tereshkova)

Morning, go away and close the curtains behind you

I'm not alone, you see, and we're not going to wake up soon

Scrambled eggs, a tube, and instant coffee are waiting for us

My cosmos has finally met its Tereshkova (Tereshkova)