Big deal - somebody robbed you on the corner, Big deal - your wife is telling you a lie, Big deal - you feel as if you are a goner... Be thankful, man, that you are still alive! So what if you are tortured by sarcoma? So what if you were not let in at five? So what if you boozed off into a coma? Be thankful, man, that you are still alive!
       
Don’t care if your buddy kicked the bucket, Don’t care if your head would crack and rive, Don’t care if they stripped you like a sucker... Be thankful, man, that you are still alive! Relax, although your skin is sores and scratches, Relax, when only troubles boom and thrive, Relax, when being carried on a stretcher... Be thankful, man, that you are still alive!
       
        It’s true - a man must answer for his blunders, It’s true - it’s up to me which way to drive... It’s all so true, but still my soul wonders - Whom shall I thank that I am still alive?
       
© George Tokarev. Translation, 2001
Edited by Robert Titterton