Вершина [Vershina] [English translation]

It's no way a plain, nor climate’s the same

In series come avalanches all day

And here, after a rockfall roars a rockfall

And one veers off to find a bypass

But we opt for the toughest path

As dicey as a trail in times of war (х2)

Who hasn’t been here, nor taken a chance

They never ever tried themselves

Yet down below they managed to grab the stars

Below you never, hard as you try,

Will see in your nonchalant life

A tenth part of such beauty and wonders at large.(х2)

No roses of red, no ribbons of black

And so unlike a monument

Is stone that eventually put you to rest

Like Fire Eternal1 there blazes for days

The summit with emerald glaze

The summit you’ve left unconquered as yet. (х2)

And let 'em all say, yes, let ‘em all say

But here nobody dies in vain!

That’s rather than from vodka and common colds

And others will come and change the warmth

For risk and this trial of work

They’ll follow the abandoned route of yours (х2)

The vertical rock face…Don't snooze and look out!

And here on fortune you mustn’t rely

In mountains nothing’s reliable – glacier or stone

But what we rely on is strength in hands

The hands of friends and pitons banged

And praying that our belay should never let go (х2)

We’re cutting the steps… No stepping aback!2

And deadly stress is making knees shake

The heart to the summit is ready to flee from the chest

The world at one glance! You’re happy and numb

And slightly jealous of those who’ll come

The ones who have this summit a while ahead (х2)

1. The name of the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier in Red Square 2. Or "Not a single step back!" The name of Stalin's order to the defenders of Stalingrad. Has become an idiom for perseverance

• Artist:Vladimir Vysotsky