За тихой рекою [Za tikhoy rekoyu] [English translation]

Beyond the quiet river, in the birch grove,

the first spring flower will bloom,

and I will make the simplest wish

and cross myself then look to the East.

Dawn will dye the sky crimson

and the eternal sun will rise over the world

and the white bird will soar over the earth

and bring the Lord's forgiveness from the skies.

And the white bird will soar over the earth

and bring the Lord's forgiveness from the skies.

And my heart will open up to something

too big for my life to encompass.

And all will become quiet and sweet, as when

my mother embraced me in my childhood.

And all will become quiet and sweet, as when

my mother embraced me in my childhood.

My holy prayer will flow like tears,

the love of Christ will imbue my sorrow,

and in that moment my soul will touch

the great universe that is called Rus'1

1. ancient name of Russia, meant as the essence of the country