THE UNHAPPY SAILOR
Russian folk songs with English Translations p 34 #28

Down the Vol-ga where the stream
swift-ly flows, Deep and dark,
through the long miles of plains
Rides a tall sail-ing bark, *
Rides a tall sail-ing bark

Like a seagull, wings outspread
Ev'ry sail straining wide
Forty stout lads her crew
Twenty oars either side

They are singing at their oars,
On the banks all may hear
Keeping time with their stroke
Happy songs ring out clear

One alone is silent there,
Sorrowful are his eyes
Ne'er a sound from his throat
At the long task he plies

Tell us, brother, why so sad?
Hath the world done thee wrong?
Can they voice not be raised
With thy comrades' in song?

What the world hath done to me,
It hath torn from my side,
One I loved more than all,
Was to be my dear bride

In the heyday of her youth
Cruel death did us part.
Now you know, comrades mine
Why so sad is my heart.

Of your goodness, this I ask,
Brothers all, comrades true
'Tis the last boon I ask
And I crave it of you

In the Volgas waters deep
:et my body be thrown
Let me lie there at rest
With my grief all alone

'Neath the waters let me lie,
from the world I would go
Where no joy can be mine,
Only grief I may know

*repeat last line in each verse