Чужая колея [Chuzhaya koleya] [English translation]

It's my own fault - the tears I spill, the oohs & aahs

I have gotten myself into the stranger's deep track

I have come up with my own goals, and choices made

And now, I cannot get myself out of this track.

It has sharp slippery edges

this track

I curse those that laid down the track,

My patience will soon burst

and I hang my head like a bad schoolboy

The Track, with the track, on the track...

But why is it never enough for me - greedy me

Conditions, generally, in this track are normal:

noone to knock you, or drag you - no complaints, -

You want to move ahead - please do!

Noone is depriving you of food or drink

in this costy little track

I have convinced myself:

I am not the only one that has fallen into this track,-

Keep at it - round and round! -

And I shall arrive to the same place as everyone.

All of sudden someone yelled: "Let me go!"

And started arguing with the track out of stupidity.

And in that argument he burnt all his soul's warmth reserves -

and all the valves and liners flew off.

But he has fiddled with the edges-

and the track has widened.

Suddenly, his tracks have stopped...

The oddball was dragged into a ditch,

So that he can't get in the way of those of us in the back rows

Trespassing somebody else's track.

The trouble has found me also, my starter seized -

Now its not travel but fidgeting in one spot,

And I should get out, push - but I have no inclination,-

Perhaps someone will arrive and pull me out.

I wait for help in vain,

It's some foreign track.

I would like to spit out clay and rust

at this stranger's track

which I have deepened myself, and

thus killing the hope of all those behind me.

I broke out in a cold sweat to the bone,

And I just walked forward down the plank

And I see that the land has been washed out by spring creeks, and there is now exit out of the rut - salvation!

I spit dirt out from under the tires

Into this foreign track.

Hey, you, back there, do as I do!

This means - no need to follow me.

This track it's only made for me,

Get out using your own tracks!

• Artist:Vladimir Vysotsky