What if vodka were drunk only by one -
What a prospect to savour!
But we smoke cigarettes in a pair,
And a bottle’s for three men to share.
So, what’s only for one?
Only for one... Just the cradle and grave are.

Once from morning to morning
Songs were sung in our backyard;
From the place we were born in
Everyone has scattered,

For all time, far and wide,
While many years slide by.

People say that a wife’s only for one;
That’s been so for an age now.
But a wife could be shared by a pair,
And she could be for three men to share.
So what’s only for one?
Only for one... Just the cradle and grave are.

Once from morning to morning
Songs were sung in our backyard;
From the place we were born in
Everyone has scattered,

For all time, far and wide,
While many years slide by.

How many live in this block that we’re from?
How many live next to this one?
How many villains are singing my songs?
How many destined for prison -

For all time, far and wide,
While many years slide by.