Тёмная ночь [Tyomnaya noch'] [English translation]

Dark is the night, only bullets that whine o'er the steppe,

Just the cold wind that hums in the wires, stars that twinkle so dimly.

On this dark night, darling, I know that you cannot sleep,

By the cradle, a tear glints your cheek, in the lamplight so homely.

How I adore the depths of your tender dark eyes –

Depths I’d explore if I were to be near my Venus!

Dark is the night, that holds back the golden sunrise,

And that gloomy, mysterious steppe that lies sprawled out between us.

I trust in you, in my darling, my sweetheart, my wife –

And to know that you’re true, on this night, saves me from deadly weapons...

Gladly, for me, in this knowledge I daunt deadly strife

I know I can rely on your love, no matter what happens.

Death, where’s thy sting, when I know there’s an angel that keeps

Wearing my ring, now the chaos is whirling round me…

Knowing you’re there, by the cradle, my sweetheart who weeps –

And your tear lets me know that your love will always surround me!