Maybe I am unique, maybe you listen that all Russians (and Soviet people) wanted to escape – wanted to go to another “civilized” countries. Now I’ ll tell about myself that I never wanted to leave Soviet Union in old time and Russia now… That is my country and my culture. And here is enough people who share my opinion and love to my country. Today we listen to a very good song by our famous bard Alexander Gorodnitsky “Over Canada” [Александр Городницкий “Над Канадой”]
And for our readers who wants to know what is the song about I’ll try to translate it:
Over Canada
There is a sunset in Canada
It would be good to sleep long time ago
But I can not sleep
There is blue sky over Canada
There is raining amongst the birches
Looks so similar to Russia
But alas that is not Russia.
Fatigue whispers me warm up and Love tries to play tricks,
April Snow teases us and Domestic Cosiness beckons us.
This Snow does not feel like spring snow for me
Someone’s else house is not house warming
It’s looking like mirth
But that is not really mirth.
Today it is slush where you live,
There are sun spots in the puddles,
Don’t be in hurry to cry over our love
Wait for me to come back!
There is blue sky over Canada
There is raining amongst the birches
Looks so similar to Russia
But alas that is not Russia.
Have a good day,
Svet and Kyle
PS We would so much appreciate if someone of Russian-speak readers suggest how to improve this translation.
comments always welcome.
I am Canadian-born of Russian background but I try to keep up my Russian as much as I can. When I was looking today for an English version of the song I found this – thank you! I have tried, as you suggested, to improve it, as well as make it scan. I will play with it to make it better but this is as far as I got this afternoon:
Over Canada
Over Canada, over Canada
The sun sets low on the horizon
By now I really should be sleeping
Why is it then that I’m not drowsy?
There’s a blue sky over Canada
A slanting rain falls through the birches
Although it looks so much like Russia
All the same, it isn’t Russia.
Fatigue starts whispering, “let’s warm up”
And love’s intrigues then play upon us
The snow of April starts to tease us
A cozy home begins to call us
But this is not like snow of springtime
Another’s house is not our own home
Although it seems to be a party
All the same, it’s not a party.
Today, where you are, it is slushy
In the puddles there are sunspots
Don’t hurry yet to weep for our love
Instead please wait until I come back.
There’s a blue sky over Canada
A slanting rain falls through the birches
Although it looks so much like Russia
All the same, it isn’t Russia.
Thank you very much, George!
Your translation is awesome!
Svet and Kyle