Голубушка [Golubushka] [English translation]

My dove1, my dove, my darling mother,

Don't give father a goblet of green wine,

Ah, don't let father drink the green wine -

He'd sell his daughter to a faraway land.

Ah, father sold me to a foreign land,

Beyond strong rapids, beyond everlasting letters,

Ah, beyond strong rapids, beyond everlasting letters,

No buying back, no rescuing.

My dove, mother, my light and master, father,

Have I vexed and troubled you much?

Have I vexed and troubled you much?

Haven't I done my work?

Haven't I done my work?

Wasn't I a loyal servant, a fast messenger?

Wasn't I a loyal servant, a fast messenger?

Have I eaten a barn of bread, have I drank a well of water?

Ah, my darling mother, my lord father,

Oh, you've become mad with young girl.

Oh, why have you become so angry with poor girl?

Have I worn out my dress, have I eaten all of the sugar?

Have I worn out my dress, have I eaten too much sugar?

Seemed, I've lived so beloved,

Seemed, I've lived so beloved,

Quieter than distant water, lower than silken grass...

1. An endearment for females. Old usage.