| Vladimir Visotsky "Wolf Hunt". The translation used in the video is the one by Anna Bochman. Below is a slightly different version (I tried to make it sound a bit smoother and more natural in English): I struggle with all my strength and sinews, but today is the same as yesterday: They surrounded me, they surrounded! They drive me joyously toward the numbers. From behind the trees, double-barreled guns are fussing There, hunters are hiding in the shadows; The wolves tumble in the snow, Having turned into a living target. Refrain: The wolf hunt is going on For gray predators the grown and the pups. The beaters shout and dogs bark til they vomit Blood on the snow and red spots of the flags. The hunters are not playing equal with the wolves, But their hand will not tremble: Having fenced off our freedom with flags, They fire assuredly, for certain! The wolf cannot break tradition: It must have been that in childhood, as blind pups, We were sucking mother-wolf And sucked in that we cannot go beyond the flags. /Refrain/ Our feet and jaws are quick. Why then leader, give us the answer! Do we, hunted down, race towards the bullet And not try to cross the forbidden? The wolf should not, cannot do otherwise! Here, my time comes to an end: He to whom I am destined Smiled and raised his gun /Refrain/ I came out of obedience and beyond the flags: The thirst for life is stronger. And I was happy to hear The shouts of stunned humans behind me. I struggle with all my strength and sinews ... |
