I did not drink or sing at all That night I only looked at her Just like a child, yes, like a child The guy who was with her before He said to me: You’d better go He said to me: You’d rather go You got no chance The guy who was with her before He threatened me, he told me off Yes, I remember, I was not drinking So when I thought it’s time to go She said: you can’t leave me alone It is still so early to go home Why are you leaving? The guy who was with her before He did not miss it after all And once in autumn, when autumn came My friend and I - just as we walked They were standing like a wall They did not move they did not talk They were eight I got a knife and so I said You never get me just like that Come on, You bastards, now all of you! Why would I go to Hell for free I hit him first-that’s what I did I hit him first-that’s what I did That was the rule The guy who was with her before He set all better than I thought The way he made all, it turned out sad Somebody gripped me round the neck Valiukha shouted: Watch your back! Valiukha shouted: Watch your back! It was too late For seven sins get a single say! I was in hospital in jail That very night That very night The surgeon cut me all along He said to me: “My friend, hold on” He said to me: “My friend, hold on” Of course, I tried The time went fast - for my return She did not wait - she was all gone Well, I forgive her, Yes, I forgive her I will forget her after all the guy who was with her before the guy who was with her before Of course, I won’t I will forget her after all the guy who was with her before the guy who was with her before I’ll meet alone
© Alexei Tikhomirov. Translation, 2012
© Alexei Tikhomirov. Performance, 2012