Речечка [Rechechka] [English translation]

The river flows, flows over the sandbar,

The sandbar is washed, is washed over.

And a young fingersmith, oh so young fingersmith1

Is begging the officer. [x2]

Oh, officer, you are the chief-chief-officer,

Let me go, let me loose,

There's one waiting, or maybe snitching2,

Out there is my spouse3. [x2]

I would set you free, I would let you loose,

But you would steal, you would keep stealing.

You better go and drink plenty of water, water that is cold,

So, you’ll forget your sweeting.

You go and drink plenty of water that is cold,

So, you’ll forget your sweeting.

Oh, I have drunk that water, water that is cold,

I was drinking, drinking plenty, but I still was thirsty.

Out there I fell in love with a girl,

With that girl I relished.

A coffin is carried, and a horse is steered4.

Nobody, oh nobody sheds a tear.

And a young, young girl

Buries her fingersmith dear.

The river flows, flows over the sandbar,

Washes, washes gold in its flow.

And a young fingersmith, oh so young fingersmith

Was sent to his death row.

The river flows, flows over the sandbar,

The sandbar is washed over, washed over.

And a young, oh so young prostitute,

Washes her legs in the river flow. [x2]

1. A pickpocket thief2. literally "bitching" - crim. slang for working with cops3. slang for a sweetheart in the original4. In my understanding, this line in the original was carried over from the Cossack's song and it describes the funeral tradition when a horse of the fallen cossack was walked behind the corpse during the funeral procession

• Artist:Vladimir Vysotsky