Лебединая верность [Lebyedinaya vernost'] [English translation]

There were two swans soaring in the sky

On a bright day.

It was full of light and happiness,

Their common way.

And the earth had spread endearingly,

Kind, all in all…

At that moment someone shot at them

And out came a call!

What's up, darling, what is wrong with you?

Give me a reply!

Sullen is the sky

For you’re out of sight…

Where are you, beloved? Show up, don't hide!

Please, come back to me!

Let your tender shining beauty

Light my heart with glee.

He was tryin’ to find her in the sky,

Called from the nest.

Silence was the only true reply

He’d get, at best…

Flying further was impossible

For the poor swan:

Having lost the ever-loving mate

He’s got left alone!

Please, forgive me, darling; please, forgive!

For the evil shot

That I couldn’t have stopped

This ignoble onslaught

Please, forgive me, darling; please, forgive!

For now we can’t fly

Like we used to fly together

In the deep blue sky…

And it was so irremediable,

This kind of sore.

He would never meet his mate again,

Never, no more!

And the swan went once again aloft,

Ceased singing song…

Having folded fearlessly his wings,

Down fell the swan!

...

I just want the swans to live on earth,

So that these white flights…

So that these white flights

Give the world kind tides…

Let the swans go flyin’ above my land,

With their wings unfurled!

Swan flights, fly above my own fate,

To the humane world!

• Artist:Evgeny Martynov