DOWN THE LONG ROAD
(Russian trad., atrributed to Boris Fomin (tune), Konstantin Podrevskii (lyrics); tr. Tony Patriarche)

Once we rode our Troika, bells a-jingling.
Far away the lights were sparkling bright,
Ah, could we but fly once more, my falcons,*
My grieving soul would once again be light:

Refrain: Down that long road, comrades,
Our moonlight serenades
Flew far away, bells ringing out so clear,
I played my seven-string**
And we would laugh and sing
Until my heart with longing shed a tear.***

Now my life has neither joy nor sorrow,
I recall the years so long before,
Again I see your hands in moonlit silver,
In that Troika where we'll ride no more: Refrain

Swift now pass my days, in sorrow laden,
Little but those memories can I save.
Soon the day will come, my dear companions,
When that long road leads me to my grave: Refrain

*   or "comrades"
** old guitar
*** Repeat all or part of Refrain to "Dai-dai-dai-dai da-da, dai-dai-dai-dai da-da" ... speeding up ad lib

Sources
- This is the original Russian version, Dorogoi Dlinnoyu, of THOSE WERE THE DAYS by Gene Raskin
- paraphrase by TP based on literal translations on web, esp. Igor Matveyev (igor_matveyev@mail.ru)
   & assisted by Rebekkah Patriarche
Tune: to be added.
T.P.