Река [Reka] [English translation]

I wish I was a tree on a river bank,

Roots made strong by northern cold,

Sharp bitterness of the leaves on my hands,

I'll gulp your water in one sip, river.

Oh, river, river, the sea is far,

Oh, river, river, you called me to follow,

Will you tell me how to reach freedom?

Since you, river, called me to follow

You.

I wish I was a bird in the waves of sky,

A sounding lightning gleam of spring sleeplessness,

Oh, how'd I splash with my vivid wings

The thawing waters past the oat grass.

I was a grief - I shall become a woe,

Three dawns in the sky, but I see not one.

Full of anguish are kissel shores1

Cry with your milk, cry for me, river.

Oh, river, river, the sea is far,

Oh, river, river, you called me to follow,

Will you tell me how to reach freedom?

Since you, river, called me to follow

You.

1. "Milk rivers and kissel shores" is a wonderland in Russian folk tales. Kissel is a type of fruit jelly.