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Песенка о бумажном солдатике

Bulat Šalvovič Okudžava / Булат Шалвович Oкуджава
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Translated by Roman Kostovski
THE PAPER SOLDIERPAPER SOLDIER
  
Once there lived a soldier-boy,There was a soldier on this earth
quite brave, one can’t be braver,Who could not be much bolder
but he was merely a toyBut he was a toy for child’s mirth
for he was made of paper.For he was a paper soldier
  
He wished to alter everything,To change the world that was his dream
and be the whole world’s helper,So that joy for all would solder
but he was puppet on a string,But he hung above from a feeble string
a soldier made of paper.For he was a paper soldier
  
He’d bravely go through fire and smoke,For you he’d battle smoke and flames
he’d die for you. No vapour.Anytime he’d face the smolder
But he was just a laughing-stock,But you thought of him as just a game
a soldier made of paper.For he was a paper soldier.
  
You would mistrust him and denyYou would not trust him with a dime
your secrets and your favour.With the pain that lade your shoulders
Why should you do it, really, why?I ask you, “why?” and you reply,
‘cause he was made of paper.“Cause he is a paper soldier.”
  
He dreads the fire? Not at all!“To the flames? Hell! If you must!”
One day he cut a caperThen he took a brave step forward
and died for nothing; after all,And he burned himself to soot and dust
he was a piece of was paper.For he was a paper soldier.


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