You were right about the Village Stompers doing the instrumental version. It is also known as Moscow Nights and is widely sung in Russia. My husband and I perform at Renaissance Festivals and he used to sing it in Russian. We met this lovely Russian woman who was visiting at the Texas Renaissance Festival, and as my husband played the guitar, she sang the lyrics - in Russian. What a lovely voice and gracious woman. (My husband has never sung it in Russian again!)

In English, the lyrics begin something like this: "Stillness in the grove, not a rustling sound. Softly shines the moon clear and bright. My dear if you could know, how I love you so, in this beautiful Moscow night."

I hope this helps.

dgmunger@flash.net