Мне ребята сказали [Mne rebyata skazali] [English translation]

The lads told me about a t a t t o o !

On the periphery, where there are no laterns yet,

If successful - I am well provided for long, -

Provided for myself and the best friends.

But at twelve o'clock people want to sleep

The next day they get up to work, -

I don't want to disturb them - I don't go stealing, -

I don't desire interrupting their sleeps!

The lads told me, that an artist is living there,

That she has diamonds, golden things, dough, -

And that everything will be quiet, without the least of risks, -

Now afterwards, of course, we shall scram at running space.

But at twelve o'clock people want to sleep,

But the artist gets up to work, -

I don't want to disturb her - I don't go stealing,

I don't desire interrupting her sleep!

Friend Mishka told me, that she has a savings account, -

That cannot be possible, not possible - our artist is not rich!

"But with her is a lieutenant colonel, he is indeed her lover!"

With this argument Mishka, the rascal, convinced me.

And at twelve o'clock people want to sleep -

The next morning they get up to work ...

It doen't matter, not to sleep! - I go - myself, I am not happy:

I don't desire interrupting their sleeps!

I told the lads that she is not rich:

The diamonds are imitations, the lieutenant colonel ran away.

Now this artist - of almost threehundred years, -

I shall not forgive myself my whole life that I disturbed her sleep!

Yet at twelve o'clock people want to sleep -

They get up the next day to work,

I don't want to disturb them - I don't go stealing,

I don't desire interrupting their sleeps!

• Artist:Vladimir Vysotsky