i agree with Kendall. It has a haunting quality and the words have a pop-song sensibility that will not coincide with a "folk-snob" attitude.

It's lovely when played on a balalaika and it was used successfully by Maurice Jarre who did a good job on the musical score for Zhivago.

I think it's important to listen to different music with new ears and not fall into the trap of pooh-poohing it because it isn't what the so-called "folk officianados" like.

The tune has a folk-like quality reminiscent of Russian Gypsy melodies which tend toward the "sentimental" but retain a plaintive and wistful air.

I think that the folk-snob thing is detrimental to the importance of traditional folk music.

Frank Hamilton