Русское зазеркалье (двуязычная версия)

When thinking of a song we would discuss this time I had a big variety of very good songs to choose from. Consider, for instance, the ‘Battalion Commander’ by Nikolay Rastorguyev, or ‘No Birds Sing Here’ by Bulat Okudhzava, an overwhelmingly powerful work in its simplicity; or some inspiring songs by Vladimir Vysotsky (he was not a combatant but was able to very artfully recreate the atmosphere of the front line); or, more recently, some songs by Yulia Chicherina, a Russian rock- and pop artist who is an active supporter of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic in their war to breakaway from the Ukraine. (You may well say that these two republics do not legally exist, as they have never been recognised by the international law. But does such a thing as the international law exist these days? The question is of course a rhetorical one, but what makes me ask it?)

After much consideration, I have decided to share with you my vision of ‘In a Frontline Forest,’ a song composed by Matvey Blanter in 1943. Its lyrics were written by Mikhail Isakovsky. The song was featured in the late 90es by Oleg Pogudin, a Russian singer, TV presenter, and artist. Please do not see it as an old and long-forgotten tune that then suddenly is featured by a media celebrity in order to maintain his or her favourable public image. To begin with, Oleg Pogudin, even though he is the bearer of the title of People’s Artist of Russia, is not a pop star; secondarily, his interpretation, while being a very good one, is not unique, given that the song was performed by an impressive number of both Soviet and Russian artists in the 60es, the 70es, the 80es, and the 90es of the last century; in fact, it has never stopped being performed.

My (more or less clumsy) translation of the lyrics was sent to you before. Let me quickly summarise the plot for those of you who have not received it (‘the plot,’ I am saying, because this song, much like the previous one, also tells us a story, as perhaps any military song does). Somewhere in the front line, an amateur accordionist plays an old waltz. The rest of the platoon are sitting around and listening to him ‘as though in a trance.’ They are recalling their beloved ones, their wives or maybe their girlfriends. And then comes the fourth verse which probably is the climax of the text. Let me please cite it at full length.

Let light and joy of prior dates

Shine while these trying times,

And if it's time to lay in earth,

Then, well, it is only once.

But even death—in fire, in smoke—

Shall not intimidate,

And what each one's supposed to do

Let each one to achieve.[1]