Песня про стукача [Pesnja pro stukacha] [English translation]

In our close circle not everybody came in,

And once I - damned be the date -

I brought him with me and said:

"He is with me - pour him something to drink, lads!"

He drank as everybody and was obiously glad,

And we - received him like a brother ...

And he sold us all by contract, -

I made a mistake - beg pardon, my friends!

I don't remember the court - it was unendurable,

Then - barracks, cold as the grave, -

It seems to me - all around completely night,

It was really worse than that.

I preserve at least a rest of strength, -

He thinks - from here there is no return,

He buried us too early, -

He made a mistake - trust me, lads!

And the day will come - night doesn't last a year, -

I shall beg of you, when retribution comes:

"I brought him here however -

So leave him to me, friends! .."

• Artist:Vladimir Vysotsky