Охота на волков [Okhota na volkov] [English translation]

All my strength I will use, every tendon,

But today and the previous day

I’m encircled by men, I’m enveloped,

They are chasing me, ready to slay.

From the spruce trees twin-barrels are rumbling:

There are hunters who hide in the shade.

In the snow many wolves now are tumbling:

Living targets for shooting they’ve made.

The hunt is open for the wolf, the hunt is open!

For silver predators: both adults and young pups.

The beaters move and yell, and dogs bark till they vomit.

The snow is stained with blood and scarlet-red are flags.

Equal footing we can’t have with hunters,

And gamekeepers are shooting at will.

They are mapping our freedom with flag lines,

And then aim with precision to kill.

For the wolf cannot break with the custom,

Since the days of the litter, since pups,

We, still blind, used to suckle our mother,

And we sucked it: "You can't pass the flags!"

The hunt is open for the wolf, the hunt is open!

For silver predators: both adults and young pups.

The beaters move and yell, and dogs bark till they vomit.

The snow is stained with blood and scarlet-red are flags.

We can bite, we can run to the fullest.

Will you tell us, head wolf, tell us true:

Why do we always rush to the bullets,

Never trying to break a taboo?

Wolves must not, they cannot change their heading!

Time is over for me, and I’m done.

The sharpshooter, to whom I was destined,

With a smile slowly lifted his gun.

The hunt is open for the wolf, the hunt is open!

For silver predators: both adults and young pups.

The beaters move and yell, and dogs bark till they vomit.

The snow is stained with blood and scarlet-red are flags.

That’s enough, I’m done with compliance:

Past the flags! Lust for life is too strong!

And behind me I left in defiance

The astounded cries of the throng.

All my strength I will use, every tendon,

But today is a different day!

I’m encircled by men, I’m enveloped,

But the hunters were left with no prey!

The hunt is open for the wolf, the hunt is open!

For silver predators: both adults and young pups.

The beaters move and yell, and dogs bark till they vomit.

The snow is stained with blood and scarlet-red are flags.

• Artist:Vladimir Vysotsky